Telangana orders advance planning for summer drinking-water supply

Telangana officials have been directed to begin preparations for drinking-water needs during the coming summer, with Minister D. Anasuya Seethakka citing the likely impact of El Nino. Ms.

Seethakka issued the directions while reviewing the work of the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply departments at a regional meeting at the Rangareddy District Collectorate on Saturday. She said 19 reservoirs were supplying drinking water to the erstwhile Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy and Medak districts. Most had adequate storage, but Singur had less than the required level.

She called for a special officer to monitor supplies there and for efforts to divert water from Nizamsagar to Singur to be expedited. Singur was reported to have reserves for about 54 days. By using local water sources, the department was working to extend availability to around 75 days, the Minister said.

Ms. Seethakka ordered the formation of three-member Drinking Water Management Committees in every mandal. The committees are to assess water availability, identify alternative sources and give particular attention to tribal areas and Chenchu hamlets.

She also said that agricultural activity could decline because of dry conditions. Eligible families should therefore be provided employment under the rural employment guarantee scheme, she directed. Around ₹6,000 crore was available for the programme, which officials were told to use for infrastructure and water-conservation works.

The review also covered construction of local government buildings. The Minister said 5,118 gram panchayats did not have their own buildings and that ₹1,000 crore had been sanctioned. Work on 3,269 buildings had reached 70% completion, with the remaining buildings targeted for completion during the year.

Buildings for women’s groups were also being constructed in 8,000 villages at a cost of ₹800 crore.