The Times of India             21.10.2010

 HYDERABAD: The Rs 3,375-crore Moulana Abdul Kalam Hyderabad Sujala Shravanti scheme (Godavari drinking water supply project) proposed to supply 10 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet of water to the city has run into land acquisition problems.

Once in place, Godavari water from Pranahita-Chevella would be supplied to areas like Quthubullapur, Alwal, Malkajgiri, Kapra, Kukatpally, Serilingampally, Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills.

According to Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) officials, 2,368.14 acres of land in Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal and Ranga Reddy districts would be needed for laying pipelines, construction of water treatment plants, clear water reservoirs (CWRs) and pumping stations.

"Another 184 acres of forest land in Medak (44 acres) and Rangareddy (140 acres) districts are required for the proposed project. So far, there is no clearance from the forest department, despite the water board sending several reminders. Except forest areas, land acquisition in Karimnagar, Medak and Rangareddy is in progress," HMWS&SB director (projects) M Satyanarayana told TOI.

So far, 197.32 acres have been acquired in Karimnagar district and 128 acres in Medak district. In Warangal and Rangareddy districts, land acquisition is yet to start, Satyanarayana said.

According to the revised schedule, 2,368 acres have to be acquired by November 2010. However, due to delay in clearance by the forest department and farmers' reluctance in Karimnagar and Warangal districts, only 30 per cent of the required land has been acquired so far, the official said.

Of the total 186 km length of pipeline for the proposed drinking water project, pipeline has been laid for 1.50 km under the package-I. Fabrication of pipes for a length of 110 km has also been completed, according to the director (projects).

The total cost of the project has been pegged at Rs 3,800 crore, including Rs 425 crore required for ring mains. The state government, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) are jointly funding the project. "So far, we have done Rs 1,020 crore worth works like manufacturing of pipes," Satyanarayana said.

The water board has approached Hudco for financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore for the project. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2012. "If all goes well, residents of six surrounding municipal circles and two posh areas in the GHMC core area would get drinking water," the director added.