Water shortage forces early Diwali holidays for Hyderabad colleges; students throng Metro stations

The sudden closure of residential campuses triggered a rush of students carrying luggage towards Metro stations, particularly in the HITEC City and Madhapur areas, as they made arrangements to travel home. The rush was further compounded by the evening movement of IT employees, adding to congestion at Metro stations and on public transport.

According to reports, institutions including Sri Chaitanya and Narayana have announced temporary holidays for students at several residential campuses in Madhapur and HITEC City. The decision followed difficulties in arranging adequate water for drinking, cooking, bathing and other essential requirements in hostels.

The colleges have indicated that online classes will continue during the holiday period to ensure that students' academic schedules are not disrupted. However, uncertainty over the reopening of physical campuses has left students and parents seeking clarity on when hostel facilities and regular classroom activities will resume.

The shortage has reportedly been aggravated by declining private tanker supplies, on which several residential colleges, hostels and paying guest accommodation facilities in the IT corridor depend heavily. Recent restrictions on unauthorised groundwater extraction and disruptions in tanker operations have added to the supply difficulties.

The impact is being felt across Madhapur, Gachibowli, HITEC City, Kondapur and other parts of the western Hyderabad corridor, where a large number of students and working professionals depend on private water tankers for their daily requirements.

The developments have brought the city's growing water stress into focus, with residential educational institutions facing the challenge of maintaining basic facilities for students. Parents have also expressed concern over the short notice given by some colleges and called for alternative arrangements rather than asking students to leave campuses abruptly.

With water availability remaining a concern, the immediate priority for educational institutions is to ensure adequate essential supplies and provide students and parents with clear information about reopening schedules.