The Hindu : Rationing of water likely, says Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Rationing of water likely, says Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Nov. 16. A serious water crisis is facing the City with the levels in Osmansagar falling below the dead storage point. The position in the Himayatsagar is hardly comforting where the water level is less than 1 tmcft. The only hope left is Singur where there is still 16 to 17 tmcft water left.

For the present the alternate day supply will be continued. The situation would be reviewed in December first week and only then a decision on further cuts would be taken. "We will take public into confidence before taking a final decision," the Commercial Taxes Minister, K. Vijayarama Rao, said.

Speaking to presspersons after taking part in the Clean and Green programme here on Saturday, Mr. Rao said by March rationing of water would become inevitable. There was unexpected drought in the entire State and Government was closely monitoring the situation. Under the summer action plan Rs. 5 crores had been sanctioned for the City to tide over the situation. "At any cost water will be made available," Mr. Rao assured.

He said there were nearly 6,000 borewells in the City and 96 per cent of them were functioning. Besides, there were 20 power borewells. Repairs would be carried out wherever required. People should be careful in using water. Any attempt to draw water, using motors would be dealt with severely, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Rao visited Wahednagar in Malakpet and Krishna Tulsingar Colony in Moosarambagh where he planted trees. At Wahednagar the residents requested for laying of roads, sewerage and drinking water pipelines. He instructed officials to immediately provide water connections to 20 applicants and to realign the electricity wires passing over houses. At Moosarambagh there was complaint of poor water supply.

He said a total of 2,500 trees were planted in the City on Saturday taking the total trees planted in MCH limits to 2.50 lakhs. As part of the Clean and Green programme 700 tricycles for lifting garbage were provided to residents welfare associations in slums, including 350 women neighbourhood committees. Community toilets numbering about 250 were removed as 26,000 individual toilets had been constructed.

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