HMWS&S Bhas tacitly admitted that it has no clue of the number of manholes

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has tacitly admitted that it has no clue of the number of manholes. It has now started a survey to find out exactly how many are there in the city.

The board has decided to geo-tag all manholes. Sensors attached to manholes will immediately sent an alert if the cover is opened at any location. It has decided to spend for Rs 5.5 lakh for this. The proposals were prepared two years ago and the tenders floated now.

The board estimates there are approximately 2.25 lakh manholes. The survey will measure the diameter of the manhole, its cover, depth, condition, diameter of the sewerage line, sewer material, and the qualitative efficiency of utilities like cables and resident service connections. Besides this, they would also identify whether the manhole is below or above the road level or buried under it. Manholes that cover the 13 specifications will be geo-tagged.

A senior official said every manhole and sewer line would be provided with an ID. Geo-tagging would help board officials know the status of the manhole and its functionality when undergoing repairs. He said the board would develop a mobile app to trace damaged manholes and sewer line