With summer fast approaching, the Water Board has decided to commence emergency pumping at Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs from February 15. Presently the board is drawing 20 mgd and 15 mgd respectively through gravity from these principal drinking water sources.
With water level falling in Himayatsagar, the board is able to draw only 15 mgd as against 17 mgd. This shortfall of 2 mgd is being met through Krishna water. In the last few days the board has started diverting 2 mgd of Krishna water to areas served by Himayatsagar.
“The present supplies will be maintained till April-end,” said Prabhakar Sharma, Director (Technical), HMWSSB.
Bulk supplies cut
The board has also decided to cut down supplies to bulk consumers by 5 per cent. The most affected would be the 1,300-odd industrial connections which consume 30 mgd. However, hostels, hospitals and gram panchayats will be spared the cut.
But what is worrying the board is the demand for release of 1.5 tmc water from Singur reservoir for irrigation purpose. It has already explained to the government the precarious water position in the state capital and the danger of its further deterioration in the event of diversion of Singur water to meet irrigation needs.
