Meta Description: Telangana Minister Seethakka says the state has sufficient drinking water reserves for the next 100 days and directs Mission Bhagiratha officials to strengthen water conservation and ensure uninterrupted supply amid El Niño conditions.
HYDERABAD, July 25: Telangana Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Women & Child Welfare Minister Dr. Danasari Anasuya Seethakka has directed Mission Bhagiratha officials to remain on high alert and ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the state as El Niño conditions continue to impact several parts of the country.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the State Secretariat on Saturday, the minister reviewed the drinking water situation and said Telangana currently has sufficient water reserves to meet drinking water needs for the next 100 days. She instructed officials to implement the state’s contingency action plan effectively and prevent any disruption in water supply.
Although water levels have declined in reservoirs such as Singur and Paleru, officials assured the minister that a comprehensive strategy has been prepared to manage the situation. Seethakka emphasized that the plan must be implemented without delay.
The minister recalled that Telangana had successfully managed similar conditions in 2023 and expressed confidence that the administration would once again ensure there is no drinking water crisis.
According to officials, 90% of the state’s 23,455 habitations are receiving normal drinking water supply, while 140 out of 145 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have uninterrupted water distribution. She instructed authorities to resolve issues in the remaining areas on priority.
Seethakka also directed officials to:Conduct continuous field inspections at the mandal level.
Create WhatsApp groups with sarpanches, ward members, village secretaries, and women’s self-help groups to provide advance information on water supply schedules.Inform residents in advance if pipeline repairs or leakages are likely to disrupt water supply.Repair and keep borewells ready for emergency use.Accelerate rainwater harvesting and recharge pit construction.Strengthen local water resources through the Jalasiri programme and promote water conservation at the village level.Utilize 16th Finance Commission funds for drinking water projects wherever required.
The minister further instructed Assistant Engineers (AEs) to hold meetings with village sarpanches and prepare signed reports on the drinking water status in every mandal. She also asked officials to visit tribal and remote villages not yet connected to Mission Bhagiratha within a week and submit reports with alternative arrangements where necessary.
Seethakka announced that she would personally review the state’s drinking water situation every 15 days and warned that negligence or laxity by officials would not be tolerated.