With the HMWS&SB keep an eye over the movement of water tankers at Mir Alam Filter Bahadurpura, the monopoly of tanker drivers has largely cut down to size while the unabated supply has significantly comes under control ever since the vigilance team nibs the bud of wayward culture at the filling station.
“As against 350 to 400 trips per day registered earlier, only 10-12 trips are being made presently that too mostly designated unserved areas. The officials are not only keeping check and balance but also keeping the higher authorities informed about the day to day affair at the filling station. The whole change has come with the tough measures rolled out by the top brass of the water board,” informed an official on the condition of anonymity.
It is pertinent to mention here that following the reports of infringement of drinking water meant for free distribution to unserved areas on the behest of political leaders, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) chief ordered cracking a whip against the errant tanker drivers of Mir Alam Filter who were allegedly milking profit through selling the water to industrial units burning a hole into water boards’ pocket.
It is said that a total 43 tanker drivers are employed at Mir Alam Filter Bahadurpura to supply drinking water to remotely located underserved areas that face acute shortage of aqua. Together these drivers make 350 to 400 trips per day from the filter to several areas off the city outskirts. While the filling station charged them Rs.7000 for a 5,000 litre tanker, the drivers are reportedly charged Rs.1700 to 1800 from industrial units operating in Kattedan area on the city outskirts.
The political influence is said to be a primary reason behind the infringement of drinking water wherein the drivers were seen sparring with the officials at the filling station to get the water according to their wish. While the local leaders are using influence to secure free water for their own use from the filter, the officials argue that the tanker drivers turn other trips to industrial units just to make their part of the profit.
It is against this background the filter authorities, following a brawl with the drivers at the filling station, have spilled the beans before higher authorities explaining the nitty-gritty being prevailed in the filter. Upon knowing about the irregularities, the chief of Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) Dana Kishore rolls on the vigilance team into action while asking the authorities to book a criminal case against the tanker drivers involved in irregularities
