Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Water Board mulls private partnership

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD May 8. The Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board is looking at partnership possibilities with private parties to ensure better management of the water system in the city.

``But, this will only be after the Krishna water project is completed and the proposal to swap treated sewage water for agriculture use and groundwater recharge in the Singur-dependent areas with Singur drinking water is explored,'' the Board managing director, M.G. Gopal explained, painting a futuristic picture of the water supply position.

Speaking on "Water Sustainability - Issues for Hyderabad Metropolitan area'' at a meeting organised by the city branch of Indian Women Scientists Association here on Thursday, he said better water management was a must for sustainability of resources.

``Unless Hyderabad looks at such a proposition, water sustainability will become difficult. The Government alone cannot row this boat. In the years to come, we have to work with private partners,'' he maintained. But first the system should be made self-sufficient. Then comes the task of strengthening and streamlining it.

While his Bangalore counterparts tried out the proposal in pilot areas, it had to be shelved as it was not politically expedient. Closer home in Kukatpally municipality, the private partners were not happy with the proposal as the size of the populace was less.

The Board, which had tried out a concession proposal roping in private enterprises only for maintenance and bill collection, could not make much headway in that direction and the project was eventually put on hold.

Saying he was impressed with the model adopted in Gdansk, a Norwegian town which had opted for a Government-private endeavour, the Water Board chief favoured its replication in Hyderabad.

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