What New Water Projects Are Being Launched for Hyderabad?

Hyderabad, Sep 8 (NationPress) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy laid the foundation stone for the second and third phases of a project designed to transport water from the Godavari River to Hyderabad. This initiative aims to fulfill the drinking water requirements of the state capital and contribute to the rejuvenation of the Musi River, which traverses the city.

The estimated cost of the second and third phases of the Godavari Drinking Water Scheme is Rs 7,360 crore, with a projected completion timeline of two years.

During the event, the Chief Minister announced that the government plans to channel 20 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) of Godavari water to Hyderabad. Of this, 16 TMC will be allocated for the city’s drinking water supply, while the remaining 4 TMC will be directed into the Musi River to enhance its cleanliness and replenish the lakes along its path.

He emphasized that the Musi rejuvenation effort is intended to benefit the residents of Nalgonda district, who have been adversely affected by pollution.

Revanth Reddy recalled his promise to purify the polluted Musi during a padyatra in Nalgonda district, drawing comparisons to the cleaning initiatives for rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sabarmati. He criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for neglecting the cleaning of the Musi during its decade-long governance.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to transforming Hyderabad into a world-class city, he called for unified efforts from all segments of society to foster development.

Reflecting on historical initiatives, he mentioned that in 1908, the Nizam Government constructed Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar to prevent devastating floods from the Musi. For over a century, these reservoirs have provided drinking water to the city, exemplifying the foresight of the Nizam.

The water from the Godavari will be utilized to refill both Osman and Himayat Sagar, along with seven intermediate lakes along the route.

The Chief Minister highlighted that various governments have consistently strived to address the drinking water needs of Hyderabad, home to a population exceeding one crore.

In 1965, drinking water from the Manjeera River was introduced to the city by the Congress government. In 2002, Krishna River water was brought in three phases, meeting the demands of the city’s growing populace.

He clarified that water is being sourced from the Sreepada Yellampalli project and not from Mallanna Sagar, countering false claims.

Mallanna Sagar is part of the Kaleshwaram Project initiated during the BRS regime, which has been under scrutiny for alleged corruption for over a year.

He further accused the BRS government of dismantling the Pranahita-Chevella project set up by the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy out of financial greed, thereby denying irrigation water to farmers in Chevella, Tandur, and Parigi. He reiterated the government's commitment to reviving the project near Tummidihatti to ensure irrigation for farmers in Adilabad and Rangareddy districts.

Revanth Reddy announced plans to visit Maharashtra to meet with his counterpart and discuss the construction of the project at Tummidihatti across the Godavari.

Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Phase II drinking water supply project for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, surrounding municipalities, municipal corporations, and gram panchayats along the Outer Ring Road.

The project, costing Rs. 1,200 crore, included the construction of 71 reservoirs, with 15 newly inaugurated by CM Revanth Reddy. Officials reported that drinking water will now be supplied to 25 lakh residents across 14 mandals.