Hyderabad begins pipeline work to bring Godavari water to low reservoirs

The State government decided on Sunday to divert Godavari water to meet drinking water needs in parts of Hyderabad that depend on the Singur and Manjira reservoirs.

Project Details

Water levels in the Manjeera reservoir are currently at the dead storage level, and supplies from both reservoirs are fast declining. The move aims to prevent shortages and prepare for a potential acute water crisis in the coming months due to El Nino conditions. Acting on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's directions, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) started work to interconnect existing pipelines.

Pipeline Work

Crews are carrying out pipeline interconnection works near Velimela village, close to the Outer Ring Road. These works link the 3,000-mm-diameter Godavari ring main with the 1,200-mm-diameter Manjira Phase-III and IV gravity main pipelines. This connection allows officials to divert Godavari water directly into the Singur-Manjira supply network as needed. HMWSSB Managing Director K. Ashok Reddy is overseeing the preparations. Technical Director Prabhu and Chief General Manager Rajashekhar inspected the works at Velimela on Sunday to review progress. Once finished, the project will help supply Godavari water to areas served by the Singur-Manjira system and lower the risk of supply cuts during dry periods.

Context

Water boards often link major supply networks during dry spells to move water from surplus basins to drought-hit areas. Large urban centres rely heavily on continuous pipeline infrastructure and inter-basin transfers to manage shifting weather patterns and protect local drinking water supplies.