Drinking water pipelines in Hyderabad are defective: KTR

The government said that the drinking water pipelines in Hyderabad are defective leading to its contamination and spreading water-borne diseases. During a survey in 2009-10, it was found that more than 1,000 km drinking water pipelines are defective in the city. The replacement of defective pipelines has been going on at a snail’s pace, the govt said.

To a question raised by MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi during the Question Hour in the State Legislative Assembly on Thursday, municipal administration minister KT Rama Rao said they will spend `502 crore to replace the 465 km long damaged water pipelines. In order to prevent contamination as part of water safety plan, a study was taken up during 2009-10 to identify old, damaged, defective and leak prone pipes such as RCC, AC, PVC, HDPE and GI.

About 991 km long pipeline was identified for



replacement at a cost of `1,152 crore out of which 476 km long pipeline was replaced between 2009-10 and 2013-14. Meanwhile, further study was taken up during 2013-14. It was identified that an additional 819 km old and defective pipeline needs to be replaced. “About 178 km long pipeline was replaced at vulnerable stretches between 2013-14 and 2015- 16.

Of the remaining 1,156 km long water pipelines, most of the leak prone pipes which stretches over 691 km exists in the peripheral circles which is now under replacement under peripheral project taken up with the assistance of HUDCO. The remaining 465 km, which covers O&M divisions of core city, will cost `502 crore is yet to be replaced,” Rama Rao said. “The critical and vulnerable stretches are being regularly replaced with available funds from HMWS&S Board,” the minister said.