HYDERABAD: The state government is mulling on merging the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for smoother coordination between the departments and better facilities to the general public.

While GHMC corporators are in favour of the merger and have even put forth a proposal before the standing committee, officials are a bit hesitant as it would become an additional burden on the corporation. However, a detailed report is being sent to the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department by GHMC commissioner Sameer Sharma.

Before HMWS&SB was created in the late 1980s, there was a drainage wing in the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad headed by a superintending engineer. The wing used to lay sewer lines and maintain them in the city. After the formation of HMWS&SB, the drainage subject was transferred to the Board. Now, the Water Board is handling both water supply and sewer network maintenance.

Though it might be a burden on the corporation, it would be an advantage for the general public as there would be better coordination between the two civic bodies and their grievances, pertaining to water supply and sewerage, could be resolved immediately.

As of now, there is total lack of coordination between the two departments, specially over digging of roads. The Water Board digs up roads for laying pipe lines and leaves it to the corporation to recarpet the road.

The other two issues are sharing of property tax revenue. The HMWS&SB has been demanding 25 per cent share in property tax collections every year. They even got a GO issued by the MA&UD department a couple of years ago. But the corporation has not been releasing the amount as property tax is the only source of revenue for it.

The other major issue which is likely to be resolved with the merger is sharing of funds for laying water pipeline for new colonies, especially those in the erstwhile surrounding municipalities. The HMWS&SB has been asking the corporation to deposit 30 per cent of the estimated amount for laying new lines. The corporation has been supplying water through bulk supplies to the colonies where there is no piped water supply.

Corporators, who provide funds from their budget for laying of sewer lines and also get complaints pertaining to overflow and non-existence of sewer lines, are now insisting that the Water Board should be merged with the corporation.

"Many corporations in the country like Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation handle water supply subject. The merger should happen in the interest of the people," GHMC Congress floor leader Kaleru Venkatesh said.