In a transformative move to secure its water future, Hyderabad is embarking on an ambitious Rs 8,000 crore project to construct a massive water ring main. Mirroring the success of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in managing traffic, this 140-km closed-loop pipeline will encircle the city to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted drinking water supply for its burgeoning population.
A Game-Changer for Water Infrastructure
The core objective of the water ring main is to interconnect all of Hyderabad's major drinking water sources into a single, resilient network. These sources include the Godavari and Krishna rivers, along with the Manjeera, Osmansagar, and Himayatsagar reservoirs. Currently, the city relies on linear transmission lines, which are highly vulnerable. A single pipeline burst or maintenance activity can cut off supply to lakhs of households for hours or even days.
The new ring main will act as a redundant backbone, allowing instant rerouting of water from alternate sources during any breakdown or emergency. This fundamental shift is critical as Hyderabad's daily water demand has already crossed 602 million gallons per day (MGD), while supply remains inconsistent due to seasonal and infrastructural limits.
Addressing Scarcity and Future Growth
With the city's population projected to reach 1.5 crore in the next few years, pressure on the existing system is mounting. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the scheme, which is soon to be submitted to the state government for final administrative and financial approval.
Officials have targeted 2027 for the project's completion, aligning it with the commissioning of the Godavari Phase-II water supply scheme. The project is not just about the main ring; a 98-km radial distribution network is also proposed to connect interior areas near the ORR to the main loop, ensuring equitable water distribution across all zones.
This integration is set to resolve severe disparities in supply. For instance, areas in the LB Nagar zone currently receive water only once every 3 to 4 days due to dependence on the Akkampally reservoir. The new system will allow surplus water from one source to compensate for deficits in another.
Parallel Projects and Broader Vision
In a parallel development, HMWSSB is also modernising the Manjeera network and the Osmansagar conduit at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. These works aim to reduce transmission losses, improve water quality, and enhance overall flow efficiency.
The board's comprehensive plan is clear: to be able to supply drinking water daily to every household by 2028. The Godavari Phase-II project alone is expected to add 300 MGD, benefiting an estimated 1.34 crore residents. With a total budget of Rs 7,360 crore earmarked for completing the Godavari Phase II and III projects, Hyderabad is making a monumental investment to quench the thirst of its future.
