The ambitious Telangana State Drinking Water Grid (TSDWG) would become operational in 48 months, according to the Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao. Mr. Rao on Wednesday spent over two hours with engineers of the Rural Water Supply and Panchayat Raj department at the end of which they swore to get the proposed water grid up and running in a timeframe of 42 to 48 months.
His hour-long pep talk to motivate engineering talent, in the presence of Panchayati Raj & RWS Minister K.T. Rama Rao and senor officers including Principal Secretary Raymond Peter and Engineer-in-Chief Surender Reddy, had the audience in rapt attention. He recalled how as Siddipet MLA, he had undertaken the Siddipet drinking water scheme under which water was transported 65 km from the Lower Manair Dam.
In a brainstorming session attended by 750 RWS and PR engineers to thrash out the bare details of the TSDWG, he promised them that while getting funds - between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 crore was his responsibility, they would need to deliver their responsibility to the people by executing, implementing and maintaining the ambitious project. The meeting was conducted on the campus of the Prof. Jayashankar Agricultural University here.
Outlining the basics, he said the new State had 25,014 habitations including 8,845 gram panchayats, a distribution network comprising 35,749 km of pipeline, gravity mains of 18,297 km and pumping mains of 31,582 km. To achieve the goal of 24-hour drinking water supply, he would ensure that 20 per cent - 10 per cent each for industrial needs and for drinking water, of the level in all reservoirs was maintained over and above dead storage.
Smoothly slipping into the role of a motivational trainer, Mr. Rao had the rapt attention of the audience when he told them that he was advised by technical consultants to hand over the project to private parties. “I was told that on payment of an annuity, any private company with expertise would take up the task but I believe in you, the field experts. Will you do it ?,” he asked and received a thumping ‘Yes’ from the audience.
