Hyderabad plans ₹7,200 crore water ring main project
HYDERABAD: The city’s water utility has begun preparations to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the metropolitan area by creating a ring shaped bulk pipeline network, similar to the city’s Outer Ring Road.
The proposed Water Ring Main Project, estimated to cost ₹7,200 crore, involves laying a 158 km long closed loop pipeline around the city. Of this, 18 km has already been laid. Proposals have now been submitted to the Centre seeking approval for the remaining 140 km, along with a Detailed Project Report.
Ring system to link all major water sources
The utility plans to soon submit proposals to the state government seeking administrative and financial approvals, with the aim of starting Phase-I works. The project will be executed in three phases.
The main objective is to interconnect the five major drinking water sources supplying Hyderabad through a single closed loop ‘ring main’ system.
Current gaps in supply
At present, damage to any major transmission pipeline often disrupts water supply for 24 to 48 hours or more. The existing network does not allow water to be diverted from one source to another during such disruptions.
To address this, the ring main system will enable diversion of water from alternative sources during pipeline repairs, breakdowns or emergencies, preventing prolonged supply interruptions.
Backbone of future water supply
Under the project, water from Godavari, Krishna, Manjeera, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar will be integrated into a single closed-loop network.
Officials said the ring main would act as the backbone of the city’s water supply system, allowing immediate rerouting of water through alternative paths whenever required.
Alongside the ring main, the utility also plans to build 98 km of radial distribution networks to supply water to interior areas along the Outer Ring Road corridor. A total of 24 new large service reservoirs will also be constructed, significantly increasing the city’s storage capacity.
Officials said the project would reduce dependence on a single water source, enable equitable distribution across the city, and help Hyderabad meet future drinking water demand without disruptions.
