In a far-reaching initiative, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is planning to complete GIS mapping in over 5,000 km of sewerage network spread across the city by March this year.

A senior Water Board official said the GIS mapping was taken up in a phased manner. "In the first phase, survey of the sewerage network in the core area of Hyderabad (erstwhile MCH) has been completed. Our officials have evaluated it. Survey of sewage network in GHMC peripheral circles is going on now," he told TOI.

Presently, the Water Board staffers cannot reach a spot to solve a sewage-related problem if it is a narrow and small bylane. "Thanks to GIS mapping, we can ensure a reliable network reach the spot with pinpoint accuracy and resolve the issue even in a narrow lane," said a senior official.

Under GIS mapping, a web application will also be developed. Sources said the Water Board will also launch an exclusive mobile app to track sewerage network and NGOs will be imparted training to operate the app. "They can keep track of sewerage network-related problems and alert the officials concerned," explained the official.