HYDERABAD: The govt on Wednesday scrapped the proposed reservoir at Keshavapuram on the outskirts of the city, thereby revising the Godavari drinking water project phase II.
It has decided to draw water to serve the city from Mallannasagar instead of Kondapochammasagar, which are part of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS). The govt will save Rs 2,000 crore.
The Keshavapuram project was designed to provide drinking water to the city, bring two city reservoirs, Himayatsagar and Osmansagar, back into use and clean up the Musi.
The contract was cancelled as the work did not start even after six years of awarding the tender due to land acquisition issues.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy directed the municipal administration and urban development department to invite tenders for the Godavari drinking water project phase II and rejuvenation of Himayatsagar and Osmansagar, along with the Musi clean-up project.
The previous BRS govt had finalised the drinking water scheme in 2018 to draw 10 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Kondapochammasagar.
The contract was given to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) for about Rs 4,770 crore under the hybrid annuity mode of contract for a design storage reservoir of 5 tmcft and another 10 tmcft from Kondapochammasagar with a water treatment plant (WTP) at Ghanpur.
MEIL could not start the work due to land acquisition issues, as forest and defence land parcels were needed to be acquired the project.
Sources in the govt said the cancellation of previous tenders was a mutual agreement between the govt (Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and MEIL based on agreement conditions.
MEIL had earlier asked for cost escalation for the project as the tenders were called in 2017 as per the standard schedule of rate (SSR) at that time. However, the govt did not agree to the cost escalation.
‘Revised Godavari project to ensure water at lower cost’
Officials explained that as per the new route, Godavari water would be diverted to the city from Mallannasagar and Ghanpur to Hyderabad instead of Kondapochammasagar. The govt wants to take 15 tmc ft of water from Mallannasagar for the city’s water requirements and fill up the twin reservoirs.
“Kondapochammasagar’s capacity is just 15 tmcft, while Mallannasagar reservoir’s capacity is 50 tmcft. There is a facility to draw water from dead storage at Mallannasagar, whereas it was not possible from Kondapochammasagar,” officials explained.
Secondly, in the old scheme, for providing drinking water under Phase II of Godavari, water was required to be lifted at five places: Akkaram, Markook, Kondapochamma Sagar, Bommarasipet, and Ghanpur. Now, only it would be required at two places, Mallannasagar and Ghanpur, officials added.
Officials said that since most of the places take water through gravity, energy charges for lifting the water through pump houses would be considerably reduced. Moreover, the pipeline would cover 162 km up to Osmansagar, which helps to provide drinking water to en route villages.
“The cost per kilolitre as per the old scheme was Rs 48; now, as per the revised scheme, the cost will be just Rs 4 per KLD,” a senior MA&UD official said.
Officials explained that as per the new route, Godavari water would be diverted to the city from Mallannasagar and Ghanpur to Hyderabad instead of Kondapochammasagar. The govt wants to take 15 tmc ft of water from Mallannasagar for the city’s water requirements and fill up the twin reservoirs.
“Kondapochammasagar’s capacity is just 15 tmcft, while Mallannasagar reservoir’s capacity is 50 tmcft. There is a facility to draw water from dead storage at Mallannasagar, whereas it was not possible from Kondapochammasagar,” officials explained.
Secondly, in the old scheme, for providing drinking water under Phase II of Godavari, water was required to be lifted at five places: Akkaram, Markook, Kondapochamma Sagar, Bommarasipet, and Ghanpur. Now, only it would be required at two places, Mallannasagar and Ghanpur, officials added.
Officials said that since most of the places take water through gravity, energy charges for lifting the water through pump houses would be considerably reduced. Moreover, the pipeline would cover 162 km up to Osmansagar, which helps to provide drinking water to en route villages.
“The cost per kilolitre as per the old scheme was Rs 48; now, as per the revised scheme, the cost will be just Rs 4 per KLD,” a senior MA&UD official said.
