HYDERABAD: Water consumers wanting to requisition a 5,000-litre water tanker have to shell out more money as the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has enhanced the tariff of tanker water.
The Board has increased the tariff of tanker water covering a distance of above 8 km to 16 km by Rs 100 and above 16 km by Rs 200. However, up to 8 km, the price of tanker water will remain the same. The increased rate will benefit the water tanker owners hired by HMWS&SB.
After the enhancement of tariff, supply of water by a tanker within a distance of 8 km will be Rs 400, of which Rs 160 will be towards the board’s water cess and Rs 240 will go to tanker owner.
For supply beyond 8 km and within 16 km, the price will be Rs 500, of which Rs 160 will be water cess and Rs 340 for the tanker owner.
Currently, 925 water tankers are in operation in Greater Hyderabad limits. On an average, 2,500 to 3,000 water tankers are booked a day by consumers, About half of these consumers are situated in the 8 km-16 km distance range.
The manager and tanker in-charge of the respective sections of the water board have to clearly write the address of delivery point, phone number of the consumer and the up and down distance on the gate pass for claiming the above rates. The deputy general managers concerned have to certify the distance covered by the tanker owner in order to claim the enhanced rate beyond 8 km.
A few days ago, HMWS&SB managing director B Janardhan Reddy had issued guidelines on water tankers plying under payment trips category duly enhancing the rates for the tankers making trips beyond 8 km.
HMWS&SB officials told Express that as per the guidelines, water tanker should deliver water at the address as mentioned in the gate pass and obtain the signature of the consumer, telephone number and approximate distance of the delivery point covered.
The tanker owner or driver should not collect more than the amount fixed by the water board. The enhanced rates will be applicable to 5 KL tankers. Proportionately in multiples it will be applicable to other capacity tankers. Tanker owners should deliver only potable drinking water supplied by HMWS&SB. If any tanker owner or driver is found misusing the order, the tanker will be blacklisted for a period of three years by the board and such tanker will not be allowed to fill water from any filling point.