Himayat Sagar gate leaks trigger outrage over Metro Water Board negligence

Hyderabad: Significant water leakage from multiple gates of the Himayat Sagar reservoir has triggered sharp criticism of the Metro Water Board, with residents accusing officials of sustained neglect and demanding immediate corrective action.

At least six of the reservoir’s 17 gates are leaking heavily, releasing thousands of litres of drinking water. The leaks, visible for days, suggest major lapses in annual maintenance, despite reported expenditure in lakhs.

Every season, the protocol’s the same: green junnam gets packed around each gate to stop seepage. But this year? Locals say they never saw it happen. And the leaks back again seem to prove them right.

Whether it’s corner-cutting or a complete miss, the results are obvious. Water’s slipping through, and patience is wearing thin. Frustrated residents are now demanding a formal probe and accountability from the officials in charge.

Metro Water Board Technical Director Sudarshan admitted to the leakages and blamed the problem on the age of the infrastructure. He said repairs would begin soon and claimed the board was responding to issues as they arose.

Himayat Sagar remains a primary water source for Hyderabad and the situation has raised fresh doubts over the board’s ability to manage and preserve it.