Kukatpally goes thirsty as handpumps defunct

Kukatpally: Handpumps installed in KPHB Colony which have now become defunct due to depleting groundwater levels, the municipal authorities seem to be not keen to provide them elixir (water) of life. These public pumps were installed to meet daily water needs for residents of KPHB colony. The number of houses was just in hundreds in colony according to the residents who have been living here since 1987. The locals then used these pumps regularly for long, they said. However, the population increased rapidly after 2001 in KPHB after multistoried constructions were given a go ahead in the area. With that the GHMC granted permissions to install bore wells to every structure.

For almost 18 years now, the borewells have gone dry and there has been no effort to revive them, says Murugesh, a resident. Thousands of multi-storeyed buildings have come up in the locality. Now there is no structure without a borewell. Drilling pumps in each structure decreased the groundwater levels due to which the old hand pumps have gone dry. Now, many residents find defunct borewells a cause of inconvenience to them. "GHMC is neglecting our complaints regarding removal of hand pumps. We made three complaints in the last six months but officials have not responded yet.

These are the waste pumps causing inconvenience to residents and vehicle," said Vamsi Kumar a resident. Responding over the issue another local, Kalavathi said that improper removal of pumps also poses threat to children. GHMC officials said, “Seventy percent of the pumps have been removed in the area. The remaining pumps will be inspected soon with higher officials and be repaired if possible." Some residents want the hand pumps to remain. A senior citizen said, “New generation is unaware about the importance of pumps, we can explain to them the hardship of water in our times so they can understand the importance of water.