Chances of finding a permanent solution to the vexed water problem in the city have brightened with HUDCO agreeing in principle to sanction Rs.1,500 crore loan for the Krishna drinking water phase III project.
HUDCO sent a letter to HMWSSB conveying its readiness to fund the project which aims at drawing additional 90 mgd water. In fact, the Water Board had approached HUDCO, JICA and was exploring the PPP model.
However, HUDCO responded positively, official sources said. Once the financial closure is achieved, tenders would be called.
“We are confident of completing the project within 18 months since only pipelines have to be laid,” said Board's managing director, Adhar Sinha.
This clears the deck for taking up the Rs.1,670 crore Krishna phase III which is considered the only way out to address the worsening water situation.
As of now the city is experiencing a shortfall of 110 mgd. The situation is worse in the outlying areas where water is supplied once in three days.
With the Godavari project being a long drawn affair, Board officials feel Krishna phase III brooks no delay especially when its principle reservoirs – Osmansagar and Himayatsagar – being no longer dependable.
The project has received support from all city legislators cutting across party lines. Board engineers want the government to take up the project immediately so as to complete it before March 2013.
Executing Krishna phase III is considered easy, since land has already been acquired and designs ready. Only the pipeline has to be laid for a distance of 110 km. from Kondandapur to Sahebnagar.
The project has three components. One, construction of raw water intake cum pumping stations at Sunkishala in Nalgonda district. Second, laying of pipeline from Kodandapur to ORR, construction of treatment plant and pumping equipment at Kodandapur, Narsapally Godakondla and a master balancing reservoir at Gungal.
The third component includes laying of a pipeline from Bongulu junction on ORR to Lingampally, a distance of 56 km., to transmit Krishna water to Singur-Manjira system.
