In the coming months, the water board may be able to breathe easy, as the works on the Godavari phase-1 project have almost been completed. Once drinking water begins pumping from it, the city’s water supply, already complemented by the Krishna phase-3 project, will get a major boost with an additional 170 million gallons per day (MGD) of water.
Currently, apart from the existing 340 MGD of supply, the city is availing 45 MGD from the Krishna phase-3 project. The total supply from the project is 90 MGD, which officials say can be drawn in a month’s time. Once the project is completed, it is expected to draw 170 MGD, taking the total water supply to the city to 600 MGD, including the Krishna phase-3 project.
The project comprises works which were done in three packages. Under the first one, an intake structure with pumping station, raw water main of 53 kilometre (km), a water treatment plant (WTP), clear water reservoir, pump house and a pumping plant at Maqdumpuram, Warangal district was constructed. Under package-2, a clear water main of 75 km, clear water reservoir, pump house and pumping plant at Mallaram, Karimnagar were built.
Under package-3, a clear water reservoir, pump house and pumping plant have been built at Kondapaka, Medak district, while a clear water main of 58 km and master balancing reservoir have been set up at Ghanpur, Warangal district. Out of the total pipeline length of 186.22 km, 184.22 km has been laid, with work ongoing now to lay the remaining pipelines.
After a delay of almost four years, the project is nearing completion said Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials, with about Rs.3,150 crore worth work almost over. Out of the amount, Rs.1,570.40 crore was received from the then Andhra Pradesh government through budgetary provision, while Rs.1,439 core was released by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation limited (HUDCO) as a loan.
Although initially the government sanctioned Rs.3,375 crore for the project in 2009, the cost was later projected at Rs.3,725 crore, as another Rs.350 crore was needed for installing ring mains, which are the main supply lines to the city. The principal amount of the loan from HUDCO will be repaid at Rs.28.85 crore in 52 quarterly instalments.
“The Godavari project will be completed and become functional from August as works are going on at brisk pace,” said a senior HMWSSB official, seeking anonymity.
Godavari phase-1 project once completed is expected to draw 170 MGD, taking the total water supply to the city to 600 MGD, including the Krishna phase-3 project.
