Hyderabad going dry; water crisis looming large, says Harish

BRS leader recalls that during the KCR government, Hyderabad never witnessed water shortage and now even before the summer peaks, people were forced to buy water

Hyderabad: With summer yet to begin, Hyderabad is already staring at an unprecedented water crisis, and BRS leader T Harish Rao held the Congress government squarely responsible for the looming disaster. He reminded that under former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s rule, Hyderabad never saw a drinking water crisis.

“But today, borewells are drying up, groundwater is depleting, and people are forced to buy water tankers, even before the summer commenced,” he said, adding that Congress regime always led to a water crisis in the past and it has been proven once again.

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In a statement, Harish Rao cited official reports pointing out that Telangana’s groundwater reserves have dropped by a staggering 2.88 billion cubic meters, one of the worst declines in the country. Despite 15 per cent excess rainfall, he said Hyderabad’s groundwater levels have fallen by 1.33 meters, while Kukatpally has hit a shocking 25.90 meters below ground.

“Is the government even aware of what is happening?” he questioned, accusing Congress of neglecting critical water management projects.

Drawing a sharp contrast, the former Irrigation Minister reminded that the BRS government initiated Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya to ensure piped drinking water and revive thousands of lakes respectively. “Even in peak summer, we kept water bodies full. But under Congress, lakes are drying up, and the government is nowhere to be seen,” he said.

As Hyderabad residents struggle for drinking and domestic water, Harish Rao charged the Congress government of being preoccupied with self-promotion and political vendetta. “Hyderabad is running dry, and Congress is running away from responsibility. If this is their idea of governance, Telangana is in serious trouble,” he warned.