HYDERABAD: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found misappropriation of funds in the implementation of four sewerage and underground drainage projects in the city.
CAG reports show that arrangement for sewerage treatment was inadequate as the detailed project reports of sewerage systems in Old City areas of South of Musi I and II provided for treatment of 94 MLD out of the projected outflow of 482 MLD. Works were awarded without satisfying the key parameters in technical bids such as overall responsiveness, execution of minimum quantities of work and critical equipment such as cranes for laying pipes, excavators etc.
Also, consent of state pollution control Board was not obtained for setting up of sewerage treatment plants. The projects were not completed on time and were delayed beyond the stipulated period of two years to over five years.
Even environmental hazards and public health concerns were not fully addressed as there was no arrangement for recycling and reusing of treated water. Both treated and untreated sewage water from Musi I and II projects were being let out into Musi river.
ULBs fail to meet water supply demand
The reports also show that some urban local bodies in the state failed to provide drinking water in the municipalities due to lack of infrastructure.
CAG found water distribution network inadequate in Kodad, Gadwal, Manuguru and Mandamarri ULBs.
In these ULBs there was a shortfall in coverage of pipeline network ranging between 23 per cent and 67 per cent when compared with internal road length. Also, flow meters were not installed at source, treatment plant, distribution zones.
In seven ULBs including Bodhan, Gadwal, Kodad, Mandamarri, Manuguru, Metpally and Vikarabad there was a demand-supply gap of 19 per cent.
Several of these ULBs did not install their own laboratories which led to a shortage in testing water samples to confirm its quality. The ULBs did not furnish action taken on the unsatisfactory reports regarding water samples.