PAANI App Launched to Curb Water Wastage; Minister Ponnam Calls for People's Movement

The initiative encourages Hyderabad residents to report drinking water misuse, register as volunteers and strengthen conservation efforts amid concerns over future supply shortages.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar launches the PAANI mobile app . Also seem in the pic HMWSSB MD K. Ashok Reddy. (Supplied)

PROPERTY PULSE

Hyderabad residents can now report drinking water wastage and misuse through a dedicated mobile application, with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) launching the PAANI app to strengthen public participation in water conservation.

State Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar launched the application at the Water Board's head office in Khairatabad, calling upon citizens to register as Water Volunteers and make conservation a collective responsibility.

The initiative aims to identify instances of water misuse across the city through public participation. Registered volunteers can report violations through the PAANI app, following which Water Board officials will examine the complaints and take necessary action.

Journalists, RTI activists, government employees, colony welfare associations, voluntary organisations, youth and other interested citizens can register through the Water Board's official website.

Stress on Water Conservation Mechanisms

Stating that the government's objective was not merely to impose fines but to develop a sense of responsibility among citizens, Prabhakar said awareness would be the first step, followed by penalties and other action against continued violations.

Highlighting the need for better water management in residential developments, the Minister urged apartments, gated communities and commercial establishments to strengthen rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and wastewater recycling systems.

He called for greater use of treated sewage for non-drinking purposes through sewage treatment plants (STPs), particularly in large residential communities.

Ponnam Prabhakar expressed concern that despite heavy rainfall, groundwater levels were not improving adequately in Hyderabad due to urban expansion, concrete construction, and inadequate rainwater percolation systems. He stressed that recharge pits should be established to protect groundwater and that every building should effectively implement rainwater harvesting.

The Minister said the government was pursuing Godavari Phase-II and Phase-III projects to meet Hyderabad's future drinking water requirements, alongside existing Krishna, Godavari, Manjeera, and Singur sources. He cautioned that anticipated El Niño conditions made water conservation and planning particularly important.

Meanwhile, HMWSSB Managing Director K. Ashok Reddy said the city was currently receiving 560-570 million gallons per day (MGD), but declining groundwater levels had significantly increased tanker demand. Between January and August 2027, the Singur-Manjeera sources could face a shortage of around 100 MGD.

The Water Board was working to mobilise an additional 60 MGD from Godavari, Krishna and Osmansagar sources, potentially leaving a deficit of 40-50 MGD.

Interested citizens can register as Water Volunteers at https://erp.hyderabadwater.gov.in/walc/VolunteerRegistration.aspx.

Following registration verification, volunteers can report water misuse through the PAANI app.

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