Ban on new borewells threatens construction activity, livelihoods

The State government’s decision to prohibit the sinking of new borewells for construction and other purposes from November 1 has triggered concerns among builders, daily wage labourers and borewell rig operators, who fear mounting financial losses, disruption of construction activity and loss of livelihood.

While builders are worried about delays in water supply pushing up project costs, thousands of workers dependent on construction activity fear losing their daily earnings. Borewell rig owners, meanwhile, are concerned about repaying bank loans and paying salaries to their employees.

The restrictions, introduced as part of the government’s contingency measures to tackle the anticipated El Nino-induced water crisis, have also raised concerns about the possibility of workers and rig operators migrating to neighbouring States in search of employment.

Last week, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju directed officials to prepare micro-level contingency plans to prevent drinking water and electricity shortages. He said department-wise plans had already been prepared to address the severe conditions expected due to El Nino.

Government offices were also instructed to use electricity economically, with air conditioners to be operated at 25 degrees Celsius only when necessary during the daytime and their use significantly reduced after 6 pm.

With water supplies from the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs unavailable, officials said the usual 110 million gallons per day (MGD) supply was being supplemented through alternative sources, including 60 MGD from Mission Bhagiratha and



additional supplies from the Krishna river and other sources.

As part of water conservation measures, Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said permission for drilling borewells in Hyderabad should be restricted to drinking water requirements, subject to existing regulations. No new borewells would be permitted for construction or other activities.

However, deepening of existing borewells would be allowed exclusively for drinking water requirements. From November 1, treated water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) would be supplied to construction sites through green water tankers.

For thousands of construction workers, the restrictions have raised concerns about their immediate livelihood.

Skilled workers earn between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 a day, while semi-skilled workers receive Rs 400 to Rs 500. Most are hired and paid on a daily basis, leaving them vulnerable to any slowdown in construction activity.

Their concerns have intensified following Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy‘s warning that the State could face water and power supply challenges for the next eight to ten months.

“If builders reduce the workforce or delay construction citing water shortages, how will we manage our daily needs? Prices of essential commodities are already rising sharply. We migrated from our native villages to Hyderabad in search of work and cannot afford to sit idle,” said Narasimha, a daily wage worker at Yousufguda.

Workers fear that a prolonged slowdown could force them to return to their villages or move elsewhere in search of employment.