Water supply shut as work on Godavari pipeline starts

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) started work on the Godavari water line around 6 am on Thursday, effecting a 48-hour pipeline supply shutdown to around 2.5 lakh domestic connections in the city.

The work is estimated to go on till midnight on March 11.

Residents were largely unperturbed as they said that they have been taking measures to counteract water shortage given the approaching summer. Board officials said they were also deploying water tankers to ensure residents do not suffer.

“People in our colony agreed on Monday to buy huge drums, fill them, store them and even guard them within the colony, dividing it equally among nine houses. We currently have six drums for the purpose and hope the water doesn’t run out until Saturday,” S. Nadeem Osman, a resident of Chinthal, said.

“Even after supply is back, we will have to use these drums, as we face water shortage every summer,” he added.

A pipeline of the Godavari drinking water supply at Kukunoorpally is being shifted to make way for a proposed railway track between Manoharabad in Medak district and Kothapally in Karimnagar district.

Areas affected on Thursday include Alwal, Jagadgirigutta, Jeedimetla, Malkajgiri, Chintal, Shapur, Dammaiguda, Gajularamaram, Keesara, Suraram and Nagaram. Water supply is also set to be disrupted in Bollaram, Kompally Gundlapochampally, parts of Secunderabad Cantonment Board and Kapra Municipality till Saturday.

Meanwhile, Erragadda, Borabanda, Kondapur, Yousufguda, Banjara Hills, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Lingampally, Ameerpet, Nizampet, Pragathi Nagar, Bachupally and Yellareddyguda were partially affected.

Residents of Kompally said they have been able to circumvent a crisis as they already have water tanks fitted to meet the shortage they face every summer.

“We filled these tanks and several buckets to the brim and are being extra cautious about usage. The tank water usually lasts for a day-and-a half, but we hope to drag it out,” said Lekha Anguram, a resident of Kompally.

Apartment complexes encouraged people in their buildings to refrain from celebrating Holi on the premises. “Except for a few kids, none of us celebrated the festival properly because of the fear of having to use a lot of water,” Gopanna, a resident, said.

The apartment has also decided to collect extra maintenance to book tankers for the next two days.

A board official said that general managers were briefed to ensure there is no dearth of water and ensure fast tanker supply round-the-clock to affected areas. While the agency did not receive additional water tanker bookings on Thursday, it is gearing up to augment supply over the next two days.