Reservoirs On 'Terror Target' in Hyderabad

After the terror destruction in Dilsukhnagar bomb blasts recently, now, the terror may target the Hyderabad Reservoirs which lacks the security for the complete water supply of twin cities, Hyderabad & Secunderabad. Despite several pleas and recommendations from media and public representations, the government is showing no concern to protect the water from these reservoirs.

Lifeline of the twin cities, Osmansagar and Himyatsagar, which supply water to more than five lakh residents, urgently require security personnel to guard the reservoirs, officials of the Water Board said in the wake of the Dilsukhnagar twin blasts. 
    
The Water Board has written to the government several times seeking armed security guards to protect the reservoirs from possible threat from anti-social elements, officials said. “We do not have men and machine to watch over the reservoirs. Except for the batons, we do not have any weapons with us,” sub-inspector (Water Board) Lingeshwar Rao said. “Theissueof providing adequate security has been brought to the notice of authorities several times. All the representations sent to the Board have been gathering dust for the last five years,” Rao added. 
    
Rao informed that a fresh request has been made to the authorities to provide adequate security at the reservoirs and also the water filter beds. In fact, about six years back, the police department allotted skeletal staff to the Water Board, but they are busy disconnecting illegal water connections in the city. “Except this, we do not attend to any other duties,” one police constable said. 
    
Water Board official said there is no patrolling on the shores of both reservoirs, and in case of any emergency, the 
Board seeks help from the local police. In fact, the Board had moved a proposallast year to open a round-the-clock outpost at the two reservoirs, but to no avail, Rao said. “We need around 50 home guards and 10 constables to keep a tight vigil at the two water bodies. In fact, we do not have any vehicles for patrolling along their shores,” another official, who did not wish to be named, said. 
    
There are restrictions on fishing, swimming and using the shore, but the Water Board does not have any mechanism to enforce the rules. The water filter beds too need security. The Mir Alam filter beds located on the main road are easily accessible to everyone. It provides water to most of the areas in Old City. After purifying the water at the filter bed, it is supplied to various localities through mini-reservoirs. 
    
When INN made a visit, nobody either questioned him or tried to prevent him from entering the area. A few youths were also roaming near the filter bed. In fact, the gates to the filter bed can be opened by anyone and there are no security personnel to keep tabs on people sneaking in. 
    
The Asmangadh reservoir has five million litres capacity and is open to all without any proper security. Even at Asif Nagar, which is located in a military area, there is scant security. “For the public, movement near the reservoirs is prohibited,butlocals areseen lounge about on the shores of Osmansagar (popularly known as Gandipet),” a senior Water Board official said. “We cannot say the reservoirs are safe. We had drawn proposals for outsourcing security two years ago. But the Water Board could not do so, due to financial crunch,” he added.