The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A `drop' of attitude!

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A `drop' of attitude!

Special Correspondent

HMWSSB's new mascot promotes water conservation. You have to name it !

HYDERABAD: Water drops shaping into limbs and torso and a smiling countenance too! The Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board's new mascot shaped like a smiling water drop in deep azure with a message to save water was launched by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Monday.

Coining the phrase, `Every drop counts - Commit, collaborate, conserve,' this was part of the HMWSSB's efforts to drive home the message of water conservation in a big way. Towards that end, it has appealed to citizens to name the mascot and also coin slogans for it. " Sustaining water supplies is the biggest challenge, more so in Hyderabad and citizen participation is a crucial component, " explained HMWSSB Managing Director K.S. Jawahar Reddy. The water board is organising a series of contests - make a slogan, name the mascot, quiz, elocution and painting - on March 22, the World Water Day at the Lumbini Laserium. The competition is open to all and registrations can be made over phone (9246502241 & 9246112241) or over email `worldwaterday_hyderabadwater@yahoo.co.in'. The last date for registrations is March 19. There would be a series of exhibitions showcasing how water is drawn to the city from various sources, be it Krishna or Singur besides water conservation and purification models.

Krishna project

Meanwhile, the HMWSSB decided to stop drawal from the Himayatsagar lake immediately following plummeting water level, the second phase of the Krishna Drinking Water Supply project to the twin cities is likely to get a final clearance from the Centre this weekend. This will ensure an additional 90 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) for the summer. The Krishna second phase is likely to be inaugurated sometime this summer, Mr. Jawahar Reddy said.Drawal from Himayatsagar was being stopped as it was reaching the drying stage and `we do not want to empty it.' The reservoir was till now supplying 15 MGD to the city. Following stoppage of water drawal there, the loss was being supplemented by additional intake from Krishna phase one, he informed.

Addressing a press conference, he allayed fears of a possible shortage of drinking water this summer. "The current volume of supply (240 MGD) will continue though there could be delayed supplies, " he said. The board had drawn up an elaborate summer action plan.

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