For a large number of people living in the twin cities, getting a water connection used to be a Herculean task because of the stringent rules of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). The water board has now decided to remove the hassles by relaxing certain norms for getting water connection of 15 mm dia size domestic connection.

As per the new policy proposed by the the water board, the applicants for a 15 mm dia size connection can file a copy of the latest electricity bill as residence proof as well as an indemnity bond duly notarised, to the effect that he or she is the owner of the premises but does not possess the title document and that person will not claim the water supply connection so sanctioned as an evidence of ownership in case of title dispute of the premises, if any, in future.

The water board has made it clear that no relaxation would be given for 20 mm dia size and above water connections.

As per the old policy, water board used to insist to submit the registered sale deed, municipal sanction plan, municipal property tax assessment receipt, No Objection Certificate (NoC) wherever applicable, patta or slum certificate (if it is in the slum area), and occupancy certificate issued by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for sanctioning a new water connection.

The board officials said consumers have been finding difficulty in getting a new connection as per the existing rules, as ownership title deed of the premises was required. Some of the applicants could not file the title document copies for various reasons, they added.

Illegal connections would also be regularised with the above relaxation of documentation. The regularisation charges for 15 mm dia size the service charges would be Rs 300 with normal connection charges only and for unmetered consumption charges for one year, the tariff will be applicable from time to time as penalty.

For BPL slum dwellers, the service charges would be Rs 300 with normal connection charges of Rs 200 only. For unmetered consumption charges for three months, the tariff will be applicable from time to time as penalty. The number of illegal connections are expected to be around one lakh and legal connections are around 8 lakh in Hyderabad.