Telangana Draws Up Advance Plan to Safeguard Hyderabad Drinking Water Supply, Seeks 16 TMC Storage Buffer

The Telangana government has begun advance planning to secure Hyderabad's drinking water needs through next summer, assessing reservoir storage, projected demand and critical infrastructure works as water availability in the Singur and Manjeera reservoirs remains under pressure. The focus is on ensuring uninterrupted supply while expediting projects to strengthen the city's water security ahead of peak summer demand. 

Following directions from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, a high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan to prepare contingency and supply augmentation plans. 

The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Dana Kishore, Irrigation Department Secretary Sridhar, Mission Bhagiratha Engineer-in-Chief Kripakar Reddy, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) Managing Director Ashok Reddy, HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath, and senior officials from the Irrigation Department, Mission Bhagiratha and the Water Board.

Officials assessed storage levels in the state's major reservoirs, expected monsoon inflows, urban drinking water requirements and projected demand for the 2027 summer season. 

According to HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy, supply from Krishna, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar sources is expected to remain adequate until the end of June 2027. However, water availability in the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs, along with Godavari sources, is projected to last only until September 30, 2026. .

To strengthen the city's water security through next summer, the Water Board requested the Irrigation Department to maintain a minimum storage of 16 TMC in the Singur reservoir.

Mission Bhagiratha officials also informed that water availability in the Singur catchment area is sufficient for only another 45 days, stressing the need to conserve available resources and prepare alternative supply arrangements. 

To avoid drinking water shortages in areas dependent on Singur, officials were directed to prepare contingency plans for areas dependent on Singur and identify alternative sources where necessary. 

The meeting also resolved to complete a pending 4-km pipeline to supply additional Godavari water to Mission Bhagiratha within 40 days, with around Rs 3 crore expected to be allocated for the work. Once completed, the pipeline is projected to add 40 million gallons per day (MGD) to the system. 

Jayesh Ranjan directed officials to enhance groundwater recharge by constructing rainwater harvesting structures near Mission Bhagiratha borewells. He also asked the Water Board and Mission Bhagiratha to optimise existing resources and keep contingency plans ready for diverting water from alternative sources, as part of preparations for next year’s drinking water demand.