Telangana to get longest water line

Hyderabad: The Telangana state government’s ambitious water grid project, providing protected drinking water to every home, will have the world’s longest pipeline. The 1,26,036-km pipe-line will be three times longer than the circumference of the earth, which is about 40,000 km. While the survey for the ambitious project will cost the exchequer about Rs 317 crore, the total project will cost about Rs 27,000 crore, according to preliminary estimates.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday informed a high-level meeting that the government would ensure substantial funds in the Budget to quicken the process and complete the scheme within the stipulated period. Mr Rao inspected the available water sources, rivulets and other water bodies on Google Earth. “This mega water scheme will create a world record. It will have 1,26,036 km of pipeline. The water grid pipeline in Telangana will be three times longer than the earth’s circumference,” the Chief Minister told the meeting.

Mr Rao, who held a marathon meeting with ministers (IT and panchayat raj, irrigation and rural water supply) and CMO officials, is contemplating to launch the project in October in fluoride-hit Nalgonda district. The protected drinking water project with 24 water grids in the state will be spread over a five-year period.

“The idea is to ensure safe drinking water to every home and provide at least 70 litres of water per person,” said minister for IT and panchayat raj K.T. Rama Rao. The government has also decided to hand over the grid works to rural water supply department which would seek assistance of experts in the field and organisations. It has to ensure drinking water supply to homes and water to industries. The grid is being planned in such a way that it fulfills the water needs of people for the next 30 years.