Irregularities in drinking water project implementation alleged

The Forum For Good Governance (FFCG) here has alleged that irregularities are galore in the drinking water related Krishna phase-three and Godavari phase-one projects, initiated by the Telangana State government. It also warned that the coming summer would be very harsh due to delay in the projects starting.

“The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), few years ago, availed a loan of Rs.1,500 crore at 12 per cent interest and the remaining Rs.170 crore budget will be funded by the State government for the Krishna phase-three project. Now officials are saying trial run will begin in March and regular supplies by June 2015,” said Padmanabha Reddy from FFCG at a press conference here on Wednesday.

Mr. Reddy stated that the Krishna phase-three project, which was sanctioned in 2011, also faced irregularities, due to which an enquiry was made by the Vigilance department months ago. Similarly, he said that the Godavari drinking water project, which was taken up in 2008 at a cost of Rs.3375 crore, was supposed to be completed in 2010.

“Now they say it will finish in 2015. Also, the State government plans to draw 180 MGD from Yellampally, to which water will be pumped from the Pranahita river. However, if that water is drawn, it will cut down allotment of water to other places like Mancherial, Bellampally, etc,” he claimed.

Apart from the 330 millions gallon per day (MGD) of water supply Hyderabad gets daily, another 100 MGD is availed through bore wells, mentioned Mr. Reddy. “So in total we get 430 MGD daily, out of which 25 per cent or 80 MGD is lost due to leakages in transmission,” he said, and added that replacing of old transmission lines will save water.

“We receive an annual rainfall of 750 millimetres (mm), equal to 15 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). If even 50 per cent is harvested, it will be equal to 130 MGD,” FFCG members pointed out, and lastly claimed that Rs.122 crore has been collected by the HMWSSB and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to construct RWH pits, which is lying dormant.