Several districts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been declared drought-hit and residents of their joint capital Hyderabad often have to wait days for drinking water supply. However, it appears that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) does not face any problem providing water to beverage companies in and around the city.
With the Singur, Manjeera, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs running dry, several areas of Hyderabad are facing serious shortage of water. In some places, water is being supplied every alternate day. Even those who can afford private tankers have to wait for several days before their needs are met.
In the current situation, the CPI (M) has alleged that the water board is supplying over two crore litres of water to beverage companies, some of it in excess of the agreed water supply.
On April 1, the party launched a campaign targeting the water board. CPI(M) state Secretary, M Srinivas told The News Minute: “According to the data it is very clear that the state government is providing most of the water to rich soft drink companies and beverages factories, while the poor and common people are suffering.”
He claimed that Hyderabad had around 750 to 780 HMWSSB water tankers but around 180 water tankers were only allotted to posh areas such as Banjara hills and Jubilee hills under Division 6, while areas like Uppal and Alwal get only six tankers. “That is the reason rich people and commercial companies never face any water problems,” he said.
Since its inception in November 1989, the Board provides water to the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundarabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Area and also places such as Shamshadabad airport.
HMWSSB Executive Director M Satya Narayana denied that the Board was treating beverage companies partially, and said that the claims of political parties were not true. “Our people have checked the claims of the political parties, but they are not true. Water is being fetched from the Godavari and Krishna rivers to supply drinking water to people. Political parties are spreading false news against us for their own benefits.”