The Telangana government plans to arrange an additional 60 million gallons a day (mgd) of water for Hyderabad, over the 560 mgd supplied daily. The plan comes amid concerns about drinking-water stress from El Niño conditions, high temperatures and deficient rainfall, according to details shared at a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju.
For areas within the Outer Ring Road under CURE limits, the government proposes to draw an extra 15 mgd from the Krishna river. It also plans to use 20 mgd from Mission Bhagiratha, with a further 20 mgd available if needed, and draw another five mgd from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.
Pipeline work linking Mallannasagar to the city is expected to be completed by November, which would make another 20 mgd available, officials said during the review.
Jaju said residents in the municipal corporations of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri could save about 80 mgd every day if they reduced water use by 20 per cent. He asked officials to curb wastage, especially the use of drinking water to wash vehicles, and organise an intensive 60-day water conservation campaign involving film actors, celebrities and other prominent people.
The Chief Secretary said groundwater levels in Greater Hyderabad had fallen significantly over the past two to three months, increasing demand for water tankers. He directed officials to meet the growing demand and take steps to ensure residents did not face hardship.
Jaju said measures were being taken to maintain an uninterrupted drinking-water supply and urged residents to use water carefully. He also directed officials to operate sewage treatment plants (STPs) at full capacity to reduce pressure on freshwater sources.
