Hyderabad acts on drinking water wastage, fines hotel 20k, fixes leaking pipeline

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has fined Paradise Hotel Rs 20,000 for wasting drinking water, while repair work has begun on a leaking pipeline in Sultan Bazaar within 24 hours of an India Today report, marking action on two civic issues involving the wastage of precious drinking water.The action against Paradise Hotel followed inspections by officials from Division 16 under the Khairatabad zone, who detected water wastage at the establishment. The penalty was imposed following India Today’s report, and the hotel management was warned against repeating the violation.Meanwhile, civic authorities have started repairing a drinking water pipeline in Sultan Bazaar, where treated municipal water had reportedly been flowing onto the streets for more than two years despite repeated complaints from residents and traders.The developments come as Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy urges people to conserve drinking water amid concerns over the possible impact of El Nio. WATER BOARD FINES PARADISE HOTELThe HMWSSB imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Paradise Hotel after officials detected drinking water wastage during inspections in the Khairatabad zone.The inspection was conducted by officials from Division 16. Following India Today’s report, the Water Board penalised the hotel and cautioned its management against repeating the violation. The board also advised the hotel management to use drinking water judiciously, warning that further instances of wastage would invite action under the rules.REPAIRS BEGIN AFTER INDIA TODAY REPORTIn Sultan Bazaar, a busy commercial area of Hyderabad, repair work began within 24 hours of India Today’s ground report on a leaking drinking water pipeline.The leakage had reportedly persisted for more than two years, with water flowing onto the road for several hours daily. Residents and shopkeepers had repeatedly approached the authorities, but the problem remained unresolved.The report documented water escaping from multiple points around metro pillars 1204 and 1203, raising concerns over the continued loss of treated municipal drinking water.The leakage also created difficulties for commuters and traders. Residents and shopkeepers complained that the water made roads slippery, increased the risk of accidents and damaged goods in the market.According to local accounts, complaints to local corporators and metro rail authorities had failed to resolve the issue. Officials had reportedly raised concerns that digging near the pillars could compromise the metro structures.RESIDENTS SEEK ACCOUNTABILITYResidents said the leakage had continued despite repeated attempts to get the authorities to intervene.Aslam, a resident, said, “The drinking water wastage is existing for years... we have given several complaints. Authorities blame each other for delay.”The prolonged leakage had raised questions about civic accountability and the response to public complaints, particularly as the state government urged citizens to avoid wasting drinking water.The start of repairs following India Today’s report has raised hopes among residents and traders that the long-standing problem will finally be resolved.The two developments bring attention to the need for both responsible water use and timely civic action to prevent the wastage of treated drinking water.- Ends