Hyderabad, Oct 2026 : The Telangana government has directed all government offices to conserve electricity amid rising power demand and concerns over inadequate generation due to the impact of El Niño. Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on Monday instructed officials to use air conditioners judiciously and take measures to maximise electricity production while ensuring uninterrupted supplies for domestic and agricultural consumers.
Jaju said government offices had been asked to operate air conditioners at a temperature setting of 25 degrees Celsius during daytime hours only when necessary. Their use should be substantially reduced after 6 pm as part of efforts to conserve power.
Although electricity generation in the state has not been encouraging, the government is continuing to supply power for agricultural and domestic requirements, he said. Jaju also clarified that no power cuts were being imposed on industries and assured industrial managements that there was no need for concern over electricity availability.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to take all necessary steps to maximise generation at thermal power stations across Telangana. He specifically instructed the five special officers deployed at the Yadadri Thermal Power Station to focus on increasing production at the facility.
Jaju issued the directions during a video conference with senior officials appointed to monitor the situation in the erstwhile districts. The meeting reviewed the prevailing conditions and preparedness for possible drinking water and electricity shortages linked to El Niño.
He said the government had already prepared department-wise contingency plans to address the anticipated challenges. However, he emphasised that detailed, micro-level plans must also be drawn up and implemented at the grassroots level to ensure timely responses to local shortages.
The Chief Secretary said an all-party meeting would soon be convened to explain the possible impact of El Niño. A Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting would also be held shortly to review preparedness and coordinate further action.
During the review, Energy Department officials reported that water was being illegally drawn from local sources for agricultural purposes using dedicated motor pumps. The excessive withdrawal was increasing electricity loads and resulting in local transformers burning out, they said.
Officials also explained that supplies from the Manjeera and Singur reservoirs were unavailable. The approximately 110 million gallons per day (MGD) normally supplied from these reservoirs was being supplemented through alternative sources, including 60 MGD from Mission Bhagiratha, along with supplies from the Krishna River and other sources.
Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said permission to drill borewells in Hyderabad should be granted only for drinking water purposes and in accordance with established regulations. No new borewells should be allowed for construction or other activities, although permission could be granted to deepen existing borewells exclusively to meet drinking water needs.
He added that a special enforcement drive was underway in Hyderabad to curb the illegal installation of motor pumps on municipal water taps to draw excessive quantities of water. The operation was being conducted in coordination with HYDRA and other agencies to identify and remove unauthorised pumps.
Ranjan further announced that treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) would be supplied to construction sites in Hyderabad through designated green water tankers from November 1. The initiative is intended to reduce the use of freshwater for construction activities and ease pressure on drinking water supplies.
Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj expressed concern over the significant decline in groundwater levels in Rangareddy district. He said alternative plans were being prepared and implemented to ensure that residents did not face drinking water shortages.
The government is seeking to coordinate power conservation, increased generation, regulated groundwater extraction and alternative water supplies to prepare Telangana for the challenges associated with El Niño.
