PNS|Hyderabad
Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reviewed the city’s monsoon preparedness and directed the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) to ensure uninterrupted water supply and efficient sewage management across the capital.
Chairing a meeting at the Water Board headquarters in Khairatabad on Wednesday, he emphasised proactive measures to avoid inconvenience to citizens during the rainy season.
He praised the Board’s 90-day action plan and commended the team, including MD Ashok Reddy and ED Mayank Mittal, for reducing sewage overflow complaints by 30 per cent.
“Directors to ground-level staff must stay alert during the monsoon. Ensure quality drinking water is supplied and initiate preventive steps to avoid sewage overflows, especially in known water-logging hotspots,” Ponnam said.
He asked officials to monitor chlorine levels in drinking water to prevent contamination and urged them to focus on 146 identified water-logging points in the city.
A key highlight was the focus on rainwater harvesting. Ponnam disclosed that last summer, 40,000 consumers used water tankers, and a survey revealed most did not have rainwater harvesting pits. Notices have been issued to 16,000 such households, and the Minister reiterated that all premises over 300 square yards must construct pits or face action.
Ponnam also reviewed the financial condition of the Board, urging measures to increase revenue, reduce leakage, stop water wastage, and curb illegal connections.
“The government will stand by the Board. I’ll take up the issue of pending dues with the Chief Minister. We will support all efforts to make the Board self-sustainable,” he assured.
Highlighting future plans, he stated that the government had launched Phase 2 and 3 of the Godavari water project at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore, and 39 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) were underway. “Once completed, these will meet the city’s water needs for the next 30 years,” he said.
Water Board MD Ashok Reddy presented the achievements and progress under the 90-day plan, launched by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on October 2, 2024.
He said that the plan, implemented without additional funds, focused on resolving chronic sewage complaints and reviving groundwater levels through the construction of rainwater harvesting pits.
