Master balancing reservoir under the Godavari drinking water supply project faces delays

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is yet to complete the construction of the 150 million litre per day (mld) master balancing reservoir (MBR) proposed under the Godavari Drinking Water Supply Project, Phase I. The civic agency had awarded the construction work to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) at a cost of Rs 500 million. However, due to increases in raw material prices over the years, MEIL has requested HMWSSB to revise the MBR construction cost to Rs 800 million. The board is, however, yet to take a final decision regarding the revised cost and the sources to fund the same. Originally, the reservoir was planned to be completed by 2014, but was delayed due to several issues such as public protests as well as delays in acquiring forest land and obtaining permissions.