Hyderabad: The city is likely to rely on its existing water supply network during the coming summer as several major infrastructure projects remain incomplete, raising concerns about the ability to meet growing demand across the Telangana Core Urban Region Economy (CURE).
The Telangana government and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) are working on projects to expand supply capacity and upgrade ageing infrastructure. However, key schemes are still at different stages of implementation and are not expected to be ready before the next summer season.
Godavari drinking water project targets December 2027
The Godavari Drinking Water Supply Project, Phases II and III, is among the major initiatives planned to strengthen Hyderabad’s water supply.
Although its foundation stone was laid in 2025, the project is targeted for completion by December 2027. HMWSSB has completed around 18 kilometres of pipeline, while other infrastructure works are continuing.
The project has an estimated cost of Rs 7,360 crore and is designed to bring water from the Sripada Yellampally project. It aims to divert 20 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of Godavari water, including 16 TMC for Hyderabad’s drinking water requirements and four TMC for the rejuvenation of water bodies and the Musi River.
The additional supply is intended to support the city’s expanding population and increasing water demand.
Neopolis water infrastructure underway
A separate water supply project is being implemented for the Neopolis area, with the aim of benefiting approximately 13 lakh people. The project is targeted for completion in 2027.
Work is underway on the Rs 298-crore Neopolis water supply trunk main and pumping station. Construction of two elevated-level service reservoirs (ELSRs) is also progressing.
Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to strengthen water distribution in the rapidly developing Neopolis area. However, the project is unlikely to provide additional capacity before the upcoming summer.
Manjeera network refurbishment at tender stage
The Rs 722-crore refurbishment of the Manjeera Water Supply Scheme Phases I and II is still at the tender stage, according to sources cited by Telangana Today.
The two-year project is expected to replace sections of the transmission network built in the early 1970s to serve Hyderabad’s western corridor.
Upgrading the ageing pipelines is intended to improve the reliability of water transmission and address infrastructure that has been in service for nearly five decades.
Master plan for the CURE region
The Telangana government is also preparing a draft water supply master plan covering HMWSSB’s service area up to the CURE region. The plan is currently at the inspection stage, according to the report.
The proposed planning exercise is aimed at addressing long-term water requirements as Hyderabad expands beyond its established urban limits.
Separately, HMWSSB has floated tenders worth Rs 50 crore for three dedicated reservoirs and associated inlet and outlet distribution mains to serve six new colonies in Bandlaguda and Chandrayangutta.
Hyderabad’s existing water sources
Hyderabad currently receives drinking water from several major reservoirs and river-based schemes.
Godavari: Water is sourced from the Sripada Yellampally project, with the supply route extending approximately 180 kilometres.
Krishna: Water is supplied through the Nagarjuna Sagar and Akkampally systems, over a route of around 110–116 kilometres.
Manjeera: Supplies from the Manjeera and Singur dams travel approximately 60 kilometres.
Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar: The twin reservoirs contribute to the city’s supply, with water travelling roughly 55 kilometres.
These sources form the backbone of Hyderabad’s existing drinking water network.
Summer supply depends on existing infrastructure
With the major expansion projects still underway, Hyderabad is expected to continue relying on its current supply arrangements during the upcoming summer.
The delayed completion of new infrastructure means that the immediate challenge will be managing available water resources while demand continues to grow. The long-term impact of the projects will depend on timely completion, commissioning and integration with the existing distribution network.
