Hyderabad – In an effort to address the significant backlog of unpaid water bills, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has initiated a door-to-door campaign aimed at raising awareness about the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS-2024). Managing Director Ashok Reddy announced the campaign during a review meeting conducted via Zoom on Friday, November 15. The HMWSSB officials have been instructed to visit households throughout the city to inform residents about the OTS-2024, designed to help consumers settle their long-pending water dues without incurring additional interest or fines. The campaign is part of a broader strategy to ensure that outstanding bills are collected effectively, with regular meter readers joining the effort.
Executive Director Mayank Mittal emphasized the importance of tackling long-standing unpaid bills, which have often been mired in legal disputes. He called upon chief general managers to swiftly identify defaulters and work towards resolving their issues. Additionally, general managers were encouraged to form special collection teams and devise innovative strategies to enhance revenue from the OTS initiative. As part of the campaign, officials will focus on identifying consumers who have not yet settled their principal amounts, reminding them that notices have already been distributed and that action will be taken against persistent defaulters by the end of this month. The OTS-2024 scheme has been extended until November 30, 2024, allowing customers a limited window to clear their pending dues.
From October 1 to October 31, 2024, they can benefit from a waiver of Rs 1,189 crore in accumulated interest, making it an opportune moment for eligible customers to settle their accounts. According to Ashok Reddy, an alarming Rs 1,706 crore in outstanding water bills is currently owed to the Water Board. Out of the 1.35 million drinking water connections in Hyderabad, approximately 700,000 customers are eligible for the OTS scheme, including those who haven’t previously taken advantage of such offers. For customers who have participated in prior OTS programs, a 50 percent waiver on any remaining interest is still applicable. As the door-to-door campaign unfolds, the HMWSSB hopes to not only boost revenue but also foster a better relationship with the community by helping residents resolve their financial obligations to the water board.