HYDERABAD: After one person died and over 70 others residing at Vaddera Basti in Madhapur area fell sick allegedly after consuming contaminated water, the officials Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) are now visiting the localities as soon as the residents complain of polluted water.
On an average, the water board is receiving 30 complaints every day. The complaints received from from different areas of the city include supply of coloured water, polluted water, foul smell emanating from the water and others.
Officials said most of the complaints are being received from slum areas in older parts of the city including Bahadurpura, Charminar, Falaknuma, Mogalpura, Azampura and Santoshnagar and other areas under O&M Divisions I (Goshamahal), II (Saidabad) and III (Gudimalkapur).
Complaints are also being received from HiTec City and Madhapur areas too, said sources.
The officials said that the complainants can dial 155313 to registered complaints with ‘Metro Customer Care’, which was set up by the HMWS&SB to solve the issues related to water supply round-the-clock.
After severe backlash from residents, the water board has deployed five special officers to address the complaints over water pollution and to check quality of water time to time in twin cities.
“Visiting the locality, collecting the samples and testing them on spot has become a routine for us than our regular duty,” a special officer told TOI.
“We have conducted tests during our visit to one of the locality and the results have not showed any signs of pollution or foul smell. The water was slightly in the colour of mud,” said an official who visited a slum after a complaint.
The HMWS&SB managing director, M Dana Kishore, is also reviewing the daily report on the water pollution complaints being received on the Metro Customer Care.
“The HMWS&SB is planning to replace decades-old water lines in the several areas, ahead monsoon. We have already started work in some of the areas and waiting for the funds to replace others,” HMWS&SB general manager confirmed.
