Hyderabad’s Blue Orbit: A ₹8,000 Crore Circular Lifeline

Hyderabad is planning a 140-km water ring main along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to ensure a continuous and reliable drinking water supply across the city, modelled on the seamless connectivity provided by the ORR.

Estimated to cost about ₹8,000 crore, the project will link all major water sources—Godavari, Krishna, Manjeera, Osmansagar and Himayatsagar—into a closed-loop transmission system. This configuration will enable water to be rerouted during pipeline failures, maintenance or emergencies, significantly reducing supply disruptions.

To ensure citywide coverage, a 98-km radial distribution network will connect interior areas to the main ring, promoting balanced and equitable water distribution. With Hyderabad’s daily water demand already exceeding 600 MGD and the population expected to reach 1.5 crore, the project is designed to future-proof the city’s water infrastructure.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has completed the detailed project report and is expected to seek approvals shortly. A senior official said the interconnection would end dependence on single sources in individual zones and stabilise water supply across the city.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.