Why are private water tankers on strike in Hyderabad?

Operators stopped on 3 Nov 2026 to protest HYDRAA's removal of borewells near lakes such as Sunnam Cheruvu, which HYDRAA says were used for illegal extraction (as reported, Hyderabad Mail 4 Nov 2026; The Hindu 27 Oct 2026).

Which areas are hit hardest?

Reports name PG hostel clusters in Madhapur, Rayadurgam, Narsingi, Kokapet, Manikonda and KPHB (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

Can I still book a water board tanker?

Yes, if your building has a CAN number. Reported delivery is 24–36 hours (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

When will the strike end?

The strike is ongoing as of 4 Nov 2026. Not known as of 4 Nov 2026, 11:40 AM IST. The association said it would continue until the issue is resolved (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

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Private water tanker strike in Cyberabad: what we know and how to get water

Last checked: 4 Nov 2026, 11:40 AM IST

Next update: when the strike ends or the government responds. The strike is ongoing as of 4 Nov 2026.

In short

Private water tanker operators in Cyberabad went on strike on Tuesday 3 Nov 2026, protesting HYDRAA's removal of unauthorised borewells (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026; NTV Telugu, 3 Nov 2026). The strike is ongoing as of 4 Nov 2026. PG hostels that depend on private tankers are worst hit (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026). The operators' association said it would continue the strike until the issue is resolved and planned to meet Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Wednesday 4 Nov (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

What led to the strike

HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) has been removing borewells it says were used to draw groundwater illegally near lakes and sell it via tankers.
By 27 Oct 2026 it had removed 38 borewells near three lakes: 25 near Sunnam Cheruvu, 6 near Thammidikunta and 7 near Fox Sagar (The Hindu, 27 Oct 2026).
HYDRAA said water from some Sunnam Cheruvu borewells was being sold to hotels and hostels, and that pollution control board tests reportedly found elevated cadmium, lead and nickel (Times of India, 24 Oct 2026).
The tanker association says its members were not involved in illegal extraction (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026). We are not taking sides; both positions are reported above.

Who is affected (as reported, 4 Nov)

Item	Reported figure	Source
PG hostels in Cyberabad	about 2,500, many in Madhapur, Rayadurgam, Narsingi, Kokapet, Manikonda and KPHB	Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026
Private tankers in Cyberabad	about 1,200	Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026
Water board (HMWSSB) tankers supplied daily	about 7,500	Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026
Water board tanker delivery time	24–36 hours after booking	Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026

Hyderabad Mail also reports that some hostel residents are moving out, and that buildings built without permission often have no water board connection (no CAN number), so they cannot book a board tanker (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

How to get water now

If your building has a water board connection: book a tanker online with your Consumer Account Number (CAN); delivery is reported at 24–36 hours (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026). Book early rather than waiting until tanks are empty.
Non-drinking uses: see our page on the treated-water green tanker service: Green water tanker booking & charges.
If you buy water from any other source, follow the checks in Tanker water safety. HYDRAA has warned about contaminated borewell water (Times of India, 24 Oct 2026).
Complaints to the water board: 155313 (HMWSSB customer care, as used on our water-supply page).
Cut use while supply is short: Litres per task.

Also this week: separate Gandipet conduit repairs disrupted supply in parts of the city from 6 AM 3 Nov to 6 PM 4 Nov (see Hyderabad water supply update).

Share updates safely

Tell neighbours in Hyderabad Water Watch when a tanker reaches your area or the strike ends. Please don't post phone numbers, house numbers, or names of tanker drivers or hostel owners.

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Talk it through nearby

Tell neighbours in Hyderabad Water Watch when a tanker reaches your area or the strike ends. Please don't post phone numbers, house numbers, or names of tanker drivers or hostel owners. Rooms are 18+.

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FAQ

Why are private water tankers on strike in Hyderabad?: Operators stopped on 3 Nov 2026 to protest HYDRAA's removal of borewells near lakes such as Sunnam Cheruvu, which HYDRAA says were used for illegal extraction (as reported, Hyderabad Mail 4 Nov 2026; The Hindu 27 Oct 2026).
Which areas are hit hardest?: Reports name PG hostel clusters in Madhapur, Rayadurgam, Narsingi, Kokapet, Manikonda and KPHB (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).
Can I still book a water board tanker?: Yes, if your building has a CAN number. Reported delivery is 24–36 hours (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).
When will the strike end?: The strike is ongoing as of 4 Nov 2026. Not known as of 4 Nov 2026, 11:40 AM IST. The association said it would continue until the issue is resolved (Hyderabad Mail, 4 Nov 2026).

Sources

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