Hyderabad Targets 16 TMC Singur Water Storage to Secure Future Needs
To prevent drinking water shortages in Hyderabad, officials are planning to maintain 16 tmc ft of water in the Singur reservoir. New infrastructure projects and contingency plans are also being fast-tracked to ensure long-term water security for the city and surrounding urban regions.
Highlights
- •Authorities aim to maintain 16 tmc ft of water in Singur reservoir to prevent summer shortages.
- •Existing supplies from Krishna and other sources are projected to last until June 2027.
- •A new pipeline project will add 40 MGD of water from Godavari to Mission Bhagiratha.
- •Officials are prioritizing groundwater recharge and contingency planning to secure Hyderabad's water future.
To ensure consistent water security for Hyderabad, government authorities are emphasizing the necessity of maintaining at least 16 tmc ft of water storage in the Singur reservoir. This strategic goal was identified during a high-level review session focused on current water availability and projected future demands for the upcoming summer season.
The meeting was led by Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, who conducted an extensive evaluation of storage capacities across major regional reservoirs. Discussions included current monsoon inflow trends and the critical drinking water requirements for Hyderabad and various surrounding urban centers. High-ranking representatives from the irrigation department, Mission Bhagiratha, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), and HYDRAA were in attendance to address these supply concerns.
Ensuring Future Water Security for Hyderabad
Ashok Reddy, the Managing Director of HMWS&SB, confirmed that the city is currently well-positioned, with existing supplies from Krishna, Osmansagar, and Himayatsagar sufficient to meet needs until the conclusion of June 2027. However, the outlook for other sources is more constrained. Projections indicate that water reserves currently held in the Manjira and Singur reservoirs, supplemented by Godavari sources, will only be adequate to satisfy demand until September 30.
Given these projections, officials stress that the Singur reservoir serves as a vital component in long-term water management. K. Kripakar Reddy, the Engineer-in-Chief for Mission Bhagiratha, noted that under present conditions, water availability in the Singur catchment area is expected to suffice for approximately 45 additional days. To mitigate potential deficits, the administration has fast-tracked infrastructure improvements.
Authorities have mandated the completion of a pending four-kilometer pipeline project designed to bolster Godavari water supplies for Mission Bhagiratha. This project, with an estimated investment of Rs 3 crore, is scheduled for completion within 40 days and is expected to provide an additional 40 million gallons per day (MGD) to the supply grid. Furthermore, Jayesh Ranjan has directed relevant departments to finalize comprehensive contingency plans. These measures include enhancing groundwater recharge efforts by constructing rainwater harvesting systems in proximity to borewells and developing emergency protocols to divert water from alternative sources should the need arise. Proactive management of these resources remains a primary focus to prevent any potential shortages for the growing urban population.
