The Hindu : Front Page : Water board positive about 24-hour supply

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Thursday, Nov 24, 2005

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Water board positive about 24-hour supply

Special Correspondent

Steady progress of Krishna project phase-II; plans to improve infrastructure

HYDERABAD: Is the uninterrupted 24-hour drinking water supply plan of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy for the twin cities merely a pipedream?

More so, with the city losing its traditional water sources rapidly owing to poor inflows in successive years.

Rs. 5,500 crores

The Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) authorities insist round-the-clock supply is a distinct possibility and not a distant dream with the Krishna project's second phase making steady progress after a slow and delayed start and heading for full-fledged commissioning next November. The announcement of Municipal Administration Minister Koneru Ranga Rao on Tuesday earmarking a staggering Rs. 5,500 crores for massive infrastructure improvements of the drinking water supply system in the next three years further gives the move a fillip.

"With the second phase of Krishna project poised to bring in another 90 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) next year to the present 90 MGD and Singur contributing its full volume of 120 MGD, the supply quantum is bound to touch the 300 MGD mark.

If there are good inflows into Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, the volume will be much more, enough to ensure round-the-clock service in staggered phases," HMWSSB Director (Projects) D. Ramakrishna said.

Towards that end, the HMWSSB initiated a basic study and identified 20 hydraulic zones in the city based on the water distribution network.

"We will be able to ensure round-the-clock supply in some areas next year-end and some more the year after. But the first priority will be to ensure daily water supply for the entire city before embarking on the 24/7 supply."

The Municipal Administration Department also commissioned the Administrative Staff College of India to carry out a feasibility and system management study on the 24/7 water supply proposal. Estimations were also being made for grounding new pump mains and infrastructure to meet the project requirements.

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