The daily water supply to 167 slums in the city, which was to begin on February 1 as announced by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), got postponed by a week, reportedly because the government wants the launch to be a pompous affair.
The Board has, however, officially announced that trial runs would continue for a week more before the scheme is formally launched. The one week’s time will be utilised to perfect the trial runs, Managing Director M. Dana Kishore informed when queried about the delay.
Each division has been assigned a senior official from the Board to oversee the trial run for the next week, along with NGO representatives who will carry out a campaign against water wastage. The decision has been taken after necessary discussions with the government, a statement from the Board said.
However, sources within the Board have informed that the government wanted it to be an elaborate affair with pomp and panache, rather than a low-key one.
As per the new plan, each legislator will inaugurate the daily supply in his or her constituency, culminating in the grand launch by Minister K.T. Rama Rao.
MIM and UP polls
Sources also informed that many legislators from the MIM party would not be available for the launch on February 1, as they are out of State, campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh elections.
The government apparently does not want to displease them by launching the scheme in their absence.
Trial runs are already on for the daily supply for the past four days. Once launched, the same will be extended to the whole city phase-wise by year end, officials informed. Peripheral areas where pipelines are being laid under the HUDCO-funded project too will be included, rounding up the total connections to be supplied with daily water to 9 lakh.
A total of 150 litres per person will be supplied every day under the scheme, instead of the 300 lpcd (liters per capita per day) being supplied now.
