The Hindu : Front Page : Highest bidder gets water tanker!

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Monday, Apr 21, 2008
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Highest bidder gets water tanker!

J.S. Ifthekhar

Operators make a fast buck by selling a tanker of water for Rs. 500-600

HYDERABAD: As the mercury rises the outcry for water goes up. But those booking a water tanker through the HMWSSB call centre are getting a shock of their life. They are not getting the supply even after 48 hours! Tank operators are taking both the Board and its customers for a ride. They are drawing water from the Board’s filling points but delivering to the highest bidder. Those who cough up more than the prescribed Rs. 250 for 5,000 litres are getting served first. If statistics are anything to go by there is a huge chink in the Board’s credibility as only 12 per cent of the calls routed through its call centre are serviced within 48 hours.

Nearly 1,300 payment trips are made by the 350 tankers but in the absence of proper monitoring the operators are making a fast buck by selling water for Rs.500 to Rs.600 per tanker. Efforts are now on to streamline the system to ensure that those who book water tankers through the call centre get priority. “By April-end tank water will be supplied within 10 hours. It is a tall order but we will do it,” said the Board’s new managing director G. Asok Kumar.

Action proposed

In order to ensure proper water supply during summer, action is proposed against the 47 private high power borewells in the city. They are drawing a lot of water for commercial purposes causing the household borewells to go dry. The Board is seeking the help of Ground Water Department and the District Collector to initiate action under WALTA.

The Board plans to bring in a participatory approach in water management. Support of residential welfare associations and municipal neighbourhood committees will be enlisted in water management.

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