The free drinking water scheme implemented by the government to people in the twin cities has been a big menace for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) as the board has lost nearly 20 crore rupees of billing.
They are about to lose more money as people with pending bills are refusing to pay with the thought of being included under the scheme. The HMWS&SB has been under severe financial troubles before this scheme has come up, and now it will hit the board harder than ever. According to sources, the water board hasn't implemented their capital plans of water supply and sewerage handling, which costs a whopping 20,000 crore. A project that was given to them to cover the city limits and outskirts is merged with GHMC, which adds to their financial troubles.
The board is to be paid 180 crores from government offices and buildings each year, and no payment of those bills over the past few years have piled up the total amount to nearly 500 crores. The cost of producing water and supply cost has gone from Rs.14 per KL in 2002 to Rs.47 per KL in 2021, and this plan is pushing the board to a dead end. The higher officials have been approaching every big organization to partner and fund the water board and have also written to the government to try and reconsider this decision and clear off the government's deficit.