Water Tanker Prices Rise in Hyderabad as Demand Increases
With summer approaching, the demand for drinking water tankers in Hyderabad has surged. Private water suppliers are taking advantage of the situation by increasing their prices. Compared to last year, the rates of private tankers have gone up by 20%, rising from ₹1,200 to ₹1,800.
Since late January, areas like Nizampet, Gachibowli, Bachupally, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally, Hafeezpet, Kondapur, and KPHB have seen a sharp rise in water tanker bookings. According to Hyderabad Water Board data, demand has increased significantly. In January 2024, 85,769 tankers were booked, whereas this year, the number has gone up to 1,22,427. From February 1 to now, 1,54,527 tankers have been booked, compared to 97,281 in the same period last year.
Residents say the shortage is due to an irregular water supply in many parts of the city. Although the water department claims to deliver water within 24 hours, high demand has caused delays. As a result, people have no choice but to rely on private tankers, which are charging much higher rates. Normally, a 5,000-litre domestic water tanker costs ₹500 to ₹600, but now, private tankers are charging between ₹1,800 and ₹2,000.
Bachupally resident Raju Rao expressed his frustration, saying, “Every summer, we face this issue, but this time, the crisis began in January itself. In our area, we get drinking water only once every five days. This has forced us to depend on private tankers, which charge double the rates compared to last year. The water board charges ₹850 for commercial and ₹500 for residential tankers, but private suppliers are exploiting us.”
Sai Teja, a resident of Gachibowli, shared a similar concern. “We already rely on water tankers during summer, but this year, the demand has risen because bore wells are not providing enough water. The groundwater level has dropped, and the water board is unable to supply tankers on time. We are left with no choice but to buy from private suppliers at high rates. The government should take strict action against them.”
In Nizampet, residents have been facing additional challenges due to a leaking water pipeline. “For over a month, we have been complaining about a leakage, but only temporary fixes have been made. This has worsened the water shortage. With poor supply from the water board, we are forced to buy from private tankers, whose prices have doubled in the past week,” said a group of residents.
A private water tanker supplier, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that prices have gone up because of rising transportation costs. Since they source water from the outskirts of Hyderabad, the cost of delivery has increased, leading to higher tanker rates.
Residents hope that the Hyderabad Water Board will take action to control private tanker prices and improve water supply in the city.
