Despite increasing complaints about irregular water supply, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) is yet to commence its water audit to check illegal water connections and mismanagement of supply in cantonment limits.
There are about 15,000 water connections in over 270 residential colonies and 125 slums in the SCB. Though nearly 47 lakh gallons of water is supplied daily by HMWSSB, many colony residents still complain of irregular and poor supply.
Ground reality different
Authorities make tall claims about water supply but the ground reality is different. Many areas like Grihalaxmi Colony, Gunrock, Vahininagar and Hasmathpet continue to get irregular supply, says E. Venkata Ramanaiah, president of Cantonment Colony Residents Welfare Association.
Such is the criticism on the water supply here that even Dr. A.K. Kapoor, Principal Director, Defence Estates, instructed the board president, Sunil S.Bodhe, to conduct a water audit.
In a letter to Mr. Bodhe in November, Mr. Kapoor said there was gross mismanagement in water supply because of which certain areas were getting abnormal share of water, while others were deprived of the same.
Defective system
This was probably due to a defective distribution system and the board was incurring a huge expenditure as well. A part of this can be avoided if a more rational distribution system was put in place, he added.
Following his instructions, the board members at the last board meeting held on November 12 had decided to conduct a water audit. But even after a month, SCB authorities have not put in efforts to commence the exercise.
“It’s a big task. We need to finalise the modalities and a time-frame to complete the task. Talks are on with water board authorities to finalise a consultant for taking up the job. Hopefully, by next week, we will appoint one,” said SCB Chief Executive Officer S. Balakrishna.
