PNS|Hyderabad
Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director Ashok Reddy on Wednesday visited the Sunkishala Intake Project site near Nagarjuna Sagar and reviewed the progress of key infrastructure works. The visit focused on civil, electrical, and tunnel-related activities that are nearing completion as part of the city’s long-term drinking water supply plan.
Accompanied by senior HMWSSB officials, Ashok Reddy inspected the intake well and pipeline extension works. He directed agency engineers to ensure quality is not compromised and advised special attention to pipeline expansion activities. “There should be no negligence, especially in works that impact the city’s core water supply system,” he warned.
The MD noted that while tunnel and electrical works are close to completion, civil works are still underway. He instructed project staff to expedite the removal of debris from the damaged retaining wall at the intake tunnel gate. The construction agency was asked to submit new design plans immediately and adhere to strict timelines for rebuilding side walls.
A unique ropeway system is being set up above the pump house to assist in debris removal. Construction teams informed the MD that specially deployed cranes are being used to accelerate the clearing of cement waste.
Ashok Reddy also inspected the middle tunnel works near the pump room and directed officials to complete bund construction and tunnel plugging before the monsoon. He stressed the need for two-shift operations to meet weather-related deadlines.
Importantly, he suggested that intake tunnels be equipped with gates on the reservoir side to reduce structural pressure on retaining walls and to install screens to prevent debris such as trees from entering during floods.
Highlighting the importance of the project, he said that even when Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir hits dead storage—around 131 TMC and 510 feet elevation—this intake system will allow the government to continue supplying drinking water to Hyderabad through the Sunkishala project.
The inspection was attended by Project Director T.V. Sridhar, CGM Mahesh, general managers, engineers, and representatives from construction agencies.
