HYDERABAD – Frustrated residents of Khizira Enclave colony in Manikonda, Hyderabad, staged a protest on Sunday demanding urgent action to address the severe water scarcity plaguing their community. Holding banners with slogans like ‘No Water-No Vote’ and ‘Seventh Guarantee- Water Guarantee’, the residents voiced their grievances and called for immediate solutions.
As the fasting season of Ramadan approaches, the situation has become even more dire, with Muslim households facing alarming water shortages. With Ramadan set to begin on March 12, Muslim families are struggling without access to running water and are forced to contend with dried-up borewells.
Residents expressed their frustration, with some households waiting for water tankers for up to four days after booking. The lack of access to water poses significant challenges for Muslim families as they prepare for the holy month of fasting.
“We are in the month of Ramzan and facing severe water scarcity in our colony. We appeal to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to guarantee us access to water. You have given so many guarantees, but the most crucial guarantee we need is water. How can we survive without it?” questioned one of the protestors.
Sree Upendra Nadh Reddy, president of the Venkateswara Colony Resident Welfare Association (RWAs), highlighted that the water scarcity issue extends beyond Khizira Enclave, affecting numerous other colonies in Manikonda. Despite persistent requests, residents have yet to receive Manjeera water connections, exacerbating the situation.
Furthermore, the process of booking HMWSSB water tankers often results in significant delays, forcing residents to rely on private tankers that charge exorbitant prices, further burdening the community.
Protestors alleged that despite repeated complaints, elected councilors and municipal commissioners have failed to address these issues directly. They challenged all 20 councillors, as well as municipal and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials, for an open debate focusing on illegal constructions, water scarcity, and municipal maintenance issues in Manikonda.
The protest highlights the urgent need for authorities to address the water scarcity crisis in Manikonda, ensuring that residents have access to clean and reliable water sources, especially as the fasting season of Ramadan approaches. Failure to act could have dire consequences for the affected communities, prompting further unrest and discontent among residents.
