Hyderabad: Tellapur, a rapidly growing suburb, faces a severe drinking water shortage affecting over 20,000 families, despite the availability of free water in nearby city areas.
In recent years, Tellapur has seen a surge in residential development, with over 50 gated communities and hundreds of stand-alone apartments. However, residents are dependent on borewells for their water needs, and with groundwater levels depleting each summer, the situation worsens.
According to Tellapur neighbourhood association, many households have been forced to dig multiple borewells to meet their needs. Despite numerous appeals to officials for urgent action, the development of critical water infrastructure, including a water tank, pipelines, and a pump house, remains sluggish.
“Residents have been waiting for a reliable water supply system for two years. The slow pace of infrastructure development continues to worsen the water shortage, and it’s vital to complete the work before the next summer,” said Ramana Eshwaragari, president of the Tellapur neighbourhood association.
Locals say that despite investing crores of rupees in villas and gated communities with modern amenities, they are constantly troubled by the lack of drinking water facilities.
“The rapid population growth, especially with the influx of IT professionals, has exacerbated the crisis. Many apartment complexes and gated communities rely on water tankers on a daily basis, which raises living costs. Even small businesses, like eateries and shops, are struggling due to the water shortage,” said V Ravinder, a resident of Tellapur.
However, officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) say that the infrastructure related work will be completed by early Dec.
“The substation and pump house are almost done, and the construction of a 6-million-litre capacity water tank is in its final phase. We are planning to commission the drinking water by Dec 15,” said HMWSSB chief general manager TV Sridhar.
