Minting money in time of drought: 6,887 illegal mineral water companies in Telangana

Hyderabad, Apr 19: With the the mercury soaring and the water resources going dry in Telangana, there have some who have found a way of making a quick buck.

Consider these statistics. There are around 7,000 mineral water plants in the state out of which only 113 are BIS certified.

This would mean that the remaining 6,887 are illegal companies. The reason for such a boom in the number of illegal mineral water companies shooting up is because more and more people are turning to packaged water in the wake of acute shortage of drinking water.

Rise in the number of illegal mineral water companies:

As opposed to the earlier years where the number of people dependant on mineral water was 30 per cent, this year the figure stands at 70 per cent. It only goes on to show the dearth of water in the state of Telangana. Like many other states, Telangana too is facing an acute water shortage thanks to this cruel drought which has hit most parts of the country.

There are only 113 BIS certified mineral water companies in Telangana. However this year the number has shot up to 7,000. 6,887 of these plants are illegal, but they seem to be selling their product at a cheaper price when compared to the BIS certified companies.

For instance a legal mineral water firm would sell a one litre bottle at Rs 12, but the illegal ones would market it at Rs 8. Obviously there is a beeline for these cheaper bottles of mineral water. However the problem is that this could well come with a health hazard as it has not been certified, officials say.

Water receding:

Here is a chart that would explain the depleting water levels in the state. It clearly shows that there is an acute shortage and how important a pre-monsoon shower is. If this scenario continues, then the situation would only worsen. All the levels are measured in tmc ft and the comparison is done for the months of April 2015 and 2016

The Lower Maniar reservoir has a capacity of 24.7 tmc ft. In 2015 the level in April was 4.82 and this year it is 2.73.

Jurala's capacity is 11.94. In 2015 it was 6.34 and this year it is 2.86

Srisailam- Capacity- 215. In 2015 it was 32.6 and this year it is 23.8

Sriramsagar- 90.3 is the capacity. 2015- 13.17. 2016- 4.97

Nizam Sagar- Capacity- 17.8. 2015- 1.05. 2015-0

Singur- Capacity- 29.9. 2015- 7. 2016- 0.5

Pulichintala- Capacity- 45.7. 2015- 0.98. 2016-0.4

Nagarjunasagar- Capacity- 312. 2015- 141. 2016- 126

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