Hyderabad: Severe water shortage in Hyderabad's IT corridor has pushed several corporate colleges to send hostel students home over the past three days, disrupting academic schedules and leaving parents and students uncertain about when regular classes will resume.
Several residential colleges in Gachibowli, Madhapur, HITEC City, Kondapur and other areas have reportedly declared water holidays and asked parents to take their children home as private water tanker supplies have declined.
While some colleges have asked students to stay home until Diwali, others have indicated that campuses may reopen on Monday. However, students said they had not received clear instructions about their return dates, with some management providing further updates through messages.
Venkateshwarlu, a parent, said the college called him around 8 pm on Tuesday and asked him to take his daughter home the following morning. He said neither the principal nor any responsible college representative was available on campus to address their concerns.
"They have not specified how many days the students should stay at home. It may take two weeks or even a month for the water situation to improve. The management should make alternative arrangements for students," he said.
He also expressed concern that the disruption could affect the academic schedule, comparing it to the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pavan, a student from Telangana, said his college had announced holidays until Monday due to the water shortage in the Madhapur zone.
Another student, Swathi, said she was asked to return home after being informed that water was unavailable on campus. She said the problem started the previous day and management had not specified when students would be called back.
Several institutions and offices in the IT corridor depend heavily on private water tankers for their daily requirements. However, tanker supplies have reportedly declined, while commercial water usage has also been restricted as authorities seek to conserve water for the coming five to six months. The Water Works Department is monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the State government is examining measures to address the worsening water situation, including half-day classes in educational institutions and work-from-home arrangements for IT employees. Officials are also considering changes to college timings and online classes for higher education institutions.
The government is yet to take a formal decision or issue any orders. Work-from-home arrangements for nearly five lakh IT employees in the corridor are among the proposals being considered, with the possibility of implementation from Sankranti, according to reports.
Parents have urged college managements to make alternative arrangements instead of asking students to leave at short notice. Online classes are also being considered as an alternative amid uncertainty over the resumption of regular classes.