Ponnam Prabhakar Directs Hyderabad Departments To Prioritise Water And Power Supply

During a district-level contingency meeting held on Monday to assess the impact of El Niño conditions and the prevailing rainfall deficit, Hyderabad incharge minister Ponnam Prabhakar directed various government departments in Hyderabad to prioritise drinking water supply, uninterrupted power, and public health. Prabhakar emphasized the need for advance planning, stating that departments must act proactively rather than responding only after problems arise.

The meeting saw the participation of several key officials, including Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, government whips Addanki Dayakar and Balmuri Venkat, and local MLAs Zulfiqar Ali, Kausar Mohiuddin, Mohammed Mubeen, Majid Hussain, and N. Sriganesh. Together with district government departments, they reviewed the current environmental challenges facing the region.

Prabhakar pointed out that Hyderabad lacks agricultural and irrigation water requirements, meaning the district administration's primary focus must remain on securing drinking water, maintaining an uninterrupted power supply, and safeguarding public health. To address the water shortage, he called for groundwater conservation to be taken up as a widespread public movement, instructing departments to launch extensive awareness and community outreach programmes.

As part of these outreach efforts, the minister directed the cultural department to conduct public campaigns on water and electricity conservation. These campaigns are to be carried out through cultural troupes to effectively engage the local population.

To set a positive example for the public, Prabhakar issued a directive mandating the installation of rainwater harvesting pits at ministers’ residences, government offices, and other public institutions throughout the district.

Minister Mohammed Azharuddin also spoke at the contingency meeting, highlighting that water has become an extremely valuable resource under the current El Niño conditions. Azharuddin directed the attending departments to take immediate and strict measures to prevent drinking water leakages, general water wastage, and water contamination across Hyderabad.