Hyderabad: A strike by private water tanker suppliers has disrupted water supplies to corporate colleges in Hyderabad's IT corridor, pushing hostel students to return home over the past three days and affecting academic schedules. Parents and students remain 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 declined.
Corporate colleges are facing difficulties in arranging private water tankers due to the suppliers' strike, due to the existing water shortage in the city. The El Niño effect over water availability have also raised concerns about the situation in the coming months.
Mangya a parent said "When I spoke to the college AGM the following morning, he said that tanker suppliers had gone on strike. The situation was misunderstood, and the college declared holidays in a hurry. The strike has since been called off, and the management may inform us about reopening after the festival. We prefer offline classes because online classes can be distracting for children," he said.
He said the principal called him on Tuesday and he took his daughter home the following afternoon.
While some colleges have asked students to stay home until Diwali, others have indicated that campuses may reopen on Monday.
Venkateshwarlu, another parent, "They have not specified how many days the students should stay at home. The management should make alternative arrangements for students.
He also expressed concern that the disruption could affect the academic schedule, recalling the difficulties faced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pavan, a student from Telangana, said his college had announced holidays until Monday due to the water shortage in Madhapur.
Another student, Swathi, said she was asked to return home as water was unavailable on campus, but the management had not specified when students should return.
According to reports, several institutions and offices in the IT corridor depend on private tankers for their daily water requirements. Tanker supplies have reportedly declined, while commercial water usage has also been restricted 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 such as half-day classes, changes to college timings, online classes and work-from-home arrangements for IT employees. Proposals include work-from-home arrangements for nearly five lakh IT employees, possibly from Sankranti. However, no formal decision has been taken, according to reports.