`Jalamandali.. Basti Bata’: HMWSSB to improve water, sewerage services in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has launched a special outreach initiative to improve drinking water and sewerage services.

`Jalamandali… Basti Bata’ programme aims to identify and resolve issues at the grassroots level by directly interacting with residents in bastis and colonies.

As part of the initiative, Water Board Managing Director Ashok Reddy conducted inspections from as early as 6 a.m. in several localities under the Serilingampally ward, including Shankar Nagar, HUDA Colony, Deepti Sri Nagar, and Miyapur.

Water quality checks and citizen interaction

During his visit to Shankar Nagar, the MD inspected household water supply connections and assessed water quality. He interacted directly with residents, enquiring about supply timings, pressure levels, and adequacy of water. Residents expressed satisfaction over the current supply.

However, during another inspection, the MD expressed concern over the wastage of potable water used for washing courtyards. He cautioned the homeowner against wasting valuable drinking water and advised using mops or cloths for cleaning instead. He warned that penalties would be imposed if such misuse is repeated.

In another instance, after noticing borewell water being used for gardening and cleaning, the MD suggested constructing a recharge pit to divert wastewater and rainwater into the ground to improve groundwater levels. He assured residents thatthe water board would extend technical assistance for building such recharge structures.

Sewerage works reviewed; Road construction blamed for blockages.

At HUDA Colony, Ashok Reddy inspected desilting works of sewerage manholes and directed officials to ensure the timely removal of waste extracted from manholes. He instructed them to identify damaged or uneven manholes and submit proposals for reconstruction.

In Miyapur, he examined desilting works at a blocked manhole on the main road. Officials informed him that during recent road construction, certain manholes were covered, leading to silt accumulation and sewerage blockages. They also noted that the new road surface made it difficult to identify manholes.

The MD directed officials to temporarily divert the sewer line to a nearby trunk main to mitigate the issue. For a permanent solution, he asked them to explore methods to trace and restore the blocked manholes.

Programme designed as per the CM’s directions

Speaking on the occasion, the MD said the programme was conceptualised as per the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

Under the initiative, officials from the MD to managers will conduct field visits every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. to identify drinking water and sewerage issues in colonies and bastis. After field visits, officials will resume regular office duties.

He said the initiative will help resolve both immediate and long-standing issues while also promoting water conservation and groundwater recharge awareness among citizens.

JMD Mayank Mittal reviews complaints in SR Nagar division

HMWSSB Joint Managing Director Mayank Mittal conducted inspections in Kailash Nagar under the Fatehnagar section of SR Nagar division. He reviewed pending MCC complaints and directed officials to shift tanker filling points to the section office premises to avoid traffic disruptions in residential areas.

He also inspected a sewer overflow complaint in Prashanth Colony and found water supply quality, pressure, and schedule implementation satisfactory in the inspected localities.

Senior officials conduct inspections across regions

Hyderabad Region Executive Director Samrat Ashok reviewed complaints related to contaminated and low-pressure water supply in Fatima Masjid and Tolichowki areas, and discussed sewerage issues in Shaikpet and Nanal Nagar.

Cyberabad Region ED Santosh inspected Subhash Nagar, Ganesh Ground, Nehru Nagar, Gurumurthy Nagar, KPHB Colony, Adarsh Nagar, Indira Nagar, and Padma Nagar along with local officials.

Malkajgiri Region ED Pankaj participated in the Basti Bata programme at Srinivasapuram under the Ramanthapur section, reviewing long-pending contaminated water complaints and inspecting ongoing repair works. Water quality was tested during supply hours.

From 6 a.m. onwards, CGMs, GMs, and other officials carried out extensive field inspections across their respective jurisdictions to improve water supply and sewerage services.

Operations Directors Vinod Bhargav, Narayana, and Srinivasa Reddy, along with other senior officials, also participated in the programme.