Water Crisis: With empty buckets, OU PG girl students sat for protest
The postgraduate women students at the Osmania University are reeling with acute water crisis in their respective ladies hostels. Unable to bear the crisis and lack of response from the hostel authorities, students took up a protest on Saturday night from 9pm to 3am along with their empty buckets and water bottles.
Explaining the crisis, one of the students, Keerthy, studying post graduation in Osmania University and a resident of block 3 hostel in ladies complex said that the problem of water crisis is persistent since the last ten days.
“We do not have any water supply during the night times, even in the morning it starts around 7am and most of the days it ends up in between 9am to 10am. Thereafter, there would not be any water supply, as it would get finished up in a first come first serve manner. In order to attend the natural calls, students keep shifting from one hostel to another hostel in search of water,”said Keerthy.
Water crisis lead to unhygienic conditions
With lack of water supply, the washrooms have also turned unhygienic and sanitation has also become a challenge, which is posing health risks for the girls. Girls, who are on their menstrual cycle, had to face additional challenges during the water crisis.
Keerthy further added that the situation is same with the drinking water supply as well and only. Being summer season, the drinking water crisis is rampant in several hostels and students searching one hostel after another in search of water is continuing.
Another student, Vinay Kumar a PhD Scholar and also ABVP joint secretary from Osmania University, said that they were also in support of the protest in the girls hostels. He further added that they are also dealing with the crisis of drinking water supply, however, it is not as acute as ladies hostels.
Hyderabad Mail has also tried to reach out to the Osmania University officials, however there is no response yet.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
