Free drinking water in Hyderabad from January: KTR

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao said the State government’s free drinking water supply programme in Hyderabad would formally be launched in the first week of January.

As per the instructions from Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, no charges would be collected for the consumption of up to 20,000 litres from the December bills of domestic consumers, he said, adding that as many as 9.84 lakh households would benefit from the scheme.

During the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, the Chief Minister had announced that 20,000 litres of drinking water would be supplied free of cost to every household in the city. Following up on this, the MA&UD Minister on Saturday convened a meeting with Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials here. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar was also present.

Instructions were issued to the HMWSSB officials to chalk out plans, modalities and arrangements for the implementation of the



scheme. After the modalities are worked out, the Minister will conduct another meeting in a few days.

The HMWSSB spends about Rs 47 for supplying one kilolitre of water, and about 468 MGD is supplied to the entire city. “Awareness should be created in consumers on the free drinking water supply programme,” Rama Rao told officials.

Eligible beneficiaries have to furnish Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication as per the State government orders.

During the meeting, the Minister also reviewed the water supply in the city. Officials said over the last few years, the supply had improved and increased. In tune with the increasing demand, the HMWSSB was also enhancing the supply capacity annually. This was mainly due to the upgrading of the existing infrastructure and amenities over the last five to six years.

HMWSSB officials said supply plans were being laid to ensure sufficient drinking water supply during the ensuing summer as well.