AP Cabinet gives nod for Pranahita project

Hyderabad: Water supply to the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration (HAU) is expected to get a boost with the State Cabinet approving a massive Pranahita project with the Godavari as the source.

“The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 30 months and the concerned department has been asked to ensure that works start from November,” Mr Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, Information and Public Relations Minister, said after the Cabinet meeting.

The estimated cost of the first phase is likely to be around Rs 3,375 crore and under Phase-I, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) will tap 10 tmcft of Godavari water to meet the needs of Greater Hyderabad and its surrounding areas.

For the current financial year, Rs 778.11 crore has been earmarked — Rs 393.75 crore from the Centre and Rs 384.36 crore by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

A release said that for the next financial year (2009-10), the State Government has earmarked Rs 501.60 crore and GHMC has allocated Rs 576.54 crore while for the subsequent year, it has earmarked Rs 731.25 crore. On the other hand, the Centre’s share would be Rs 393.75 crore for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

“Of the total Rs 3,375 crore required, the State Government’s share will be Rs 1,232.85 crore, GHMC’s share Rs 960.90 crore and that of the Central Government will be Rs 1181.25 crore,” it added.

The Water and Power Consultancy Services Ltd (WAPCOS) was entrusted with the feasibility study of diverting Godavari waters to meet the future drinking water requirements of the city.

Mr Reddy also said that the proposal on formation of special purpose vehicles for implementation of Bus Rapid Transit System in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam also got the nod from the Council of Ministers.

The project in Vijayawada is estimated to cost Rs 190.97 crore, while one route in Visakhapatnam is estimated at Rs 190.97 crore and the other at Rs 261.96 crore.