With many families abandoning their houses in JNNURM colonies on the outskirts and flocking back to the city due to the absence of water connections, the state government has finally agreed to take up a drinking water supply scheme to curb the “exodus”. The project to supply potable water to more than 2 lakh people in these 14 colonies is estimated to cost Rs 102 crore, officials said.
Nearly 35,000 flats were constructed in these colonies two years ago with funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). While allotments were made with much fanfare to identified beneficiaries from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district, the joy of the houseowners was short-lived. Reason: No water distribution network in their colonies.
With private agencies selling 20-litre water cans raising prices from Rs 40 a can to Rs 120, many families started moving back to the city despite warnings by GHMC and Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district collectorate authorities that allotments would be cancelled. Sources said the state Cabinet recently cleared a proposal to provide water to these colonies following fears that the Rs 1,400-crore housing project for homeless urban poor would end up as a white elephant.
The Water Board’s engineer-in-chief M. Satyanarayana said the Board has prepared a detailed report on water connection to all JNNURM colonies. “We will start work when money is released. All colonies will be given water connection within nine months from the day works start,” he said.