The Hindu 03.05.2010
Water problem gets worse in city
Special Correspondent
DESPERATE SITUATION: A migrant worker tries to collect water from a leaking main line for his daily needs on the Banjara Hills Road.
Hyderabad: A demonstration with empty pots may be an annual ritual for public representatives, but for many residents in the State capital they are becoming a harrowing fact. With summer peaking, the elixir of life is getting scarcer by the day. Notwithstanding what the Water Board says, the supplies have suddenly turned short and erratic.
Complaints of insufficient supplies are pouring in from several areas. “We are getting water alright but it is very meagre,” is the refrain. Some areas are experiencing the problem of supplies suddenly stopping without notice. For instance, in parts of Nehru Nagar in East Marredpally several houses went without water for two days recently.
Crisis in Malkajgiri
The situation in Malkajgiri is simply worse. Nearly 40 per cent of the area is getting water once in 10 days, forcing residents to depend on tankers. The problem has arisen due to supplies stopping from the Defence Colony reservoir consequent on water level in the Singur reservoir dropping. The other reservoir at Gowthamnagar gets Krishna water. “We tried to represent the problem to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, the other day when he visited A.S. Rao Nagar, but we were not allowed to meet him. In fact the police beat up women who wanted to submit a representation,” said B.T. Srinivasan, vice president, United Federation of Residents Welfare Association.
Situation acute
Same is the case in the surrounding localities. The problem is more acute in parts of the old city like Sultan Shahi, Gowlipura, Lal Darwaza, Uppuguda and Lalitabagh. The main problem here is of low pressure. Recently the supply was switched to alternate day. “But now it is restored”, says Adil of Falaknuma.
In interior areas like Bandlaguda, Hashamabad, Errakunta one can see residents fetching water from far off places. The area being hilly, houses here have problem getting water. As such, some residents have constructed sumps at lower levels to collect water. In peripheral areas too, it is an endless struggle for water. Long rows of empty pots are a regular feature here.
