Hyderabad citizens prefer private tankers

Hyderabad: Officials at the Water Board’s water filling station are coming up with myriad reasons for not delivering water tankers including incorrect Consumer Account Numbers (CAN) provided.

Domestic tankers cost Rs 400, plus Rs 100 as tips for the driver, but take eight days to deliver water. Commercial tankers cost Rs 550, but water is delivered in two days.

Richard Lynch, resident of A.S. Rao Nagar, ECIL, said, “On February 19, I booked a domestic tanker at the Water Board’s Moula Ali filling station and was given the token number 2003. The official said it would be delivered. We kept calling, and four days went by, but the water was not delivered. On February 25, the official stated that my booking has been slotted as Commercial, since I had not provided the CAN and the request for the domestic tanker was cancelled. Despite providing the message with token number, they cancelled it. We booked domestic tanker again and another token number was issued and delivery was promised on the February 26, but again the officials cancelled it stating that the CAN was incorrect. Finally I had to book a private tanker, which was delivered immediately by paying Rs 850. The Water Board tanker costs Rs 400.”

For colonies in Malkajgiri, Marredpally, the nearest filling station is near Marredpally (opposite St. Ann’s School) and the other is at Moula Ali- ECIL. The one at Moula Ali has only one person operating the station, which means he takes customer calls and handles supply as well.

Earlier the station would take four days, however with the increase in number of booking, delivery is done after seven-eight days at present.