As the temperature soars, so does the demand for water tankers. The interminable delay in the supply of drinking water by tankers operated by the water board is forcing residents to approach private water tanker operators. The irony, however, is that even private operators are finding it tough to supply water within a day.
Apartment complexes in a host of residential colonies on the capital's fringes are the worst hit. Tankers of the water board are taking over three days, sometimes even four, to supply water. This is forcing residential welfare associations to shell out more to private water tankers.
“We had to book at least one day in advance for a private water tanker. The water board's water tankers take at least three days to arrive. We are not sure about the quality of water supplied by a private water tanker that's why we asked our members to use that water for other purposes and not for drinking,” says P. Ravi, member of a residential welfare association at Mallapur.
Outskirts hit badly
Thanks to the huge demand, the rates too have skyrocketed. Last year, a 5,000-litre water tanker was anywhere between Rs. 550 and Rs. 750. “We paid Rs. 1,200 for a 5,000-litre water tanker to a private person. The private operator promised to deliver the water within a day and that's why we did not mind paying more. The water board's water tanker is slow,” complains R. Madhusudhan, resident of Anu Enclave, Nagole main road.
The peripheries, including Mallapur, NFC, Kapra, Keesara, Nagole and Saroornagar are the worst hit. Private wells at several places in Kushaiguda, Kapra, Sainikpuri, Uppal and Nagole, Amberpet and Trimulgherry are being tapped by private water tanker operators. “The power cuts during day time have forced us to work at odd hours. We are clearly overworked and residents have to call us at least a day before for a water tanker. Because of logistics and fuel prices, we are just limiting ourselves to Kushaiguda, ECIL and A.S. Rao Nagar,” says Pratap Reddy, a water tanker owner.
