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With plans still on paper, Hyderabad has to face submergence
Despite tall claims of making Hyderabad a global destination, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation authorities are yet to clear critical bottlenecks in drains which have potential to inundate 80 per cent of the low-lying areas in the city.
Hyderabad: Despite tall claims of making Hyderabad a global destination, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation authorities are yet to clear critical bottlenecks in drains which have potential to inundate 80 per cent of the low-lying areas in the city.
Interestingly during a survey conducted by civic body last October, 823 bottlenecks in 43 drains were identified running up to 16.66 kilometres. The civic body estimated that it costs Rs 230 crore to clear these bottlenecks. However, all the plans remain on paper.
GHMC officials claimed that the State Government seems to be under political pressures to take decision of clearing the bottlenecks. The government’s delay in taking decision will push the city towards inundation putting public life at high risk, claimed officials.
Besides manual survey last October, the corporation officials had used hi-tech methods for accuracy. Drone cameras were used for aerial surveys and video-documenting the areas by utilising the GPS systems.
The Geographical Information System (GIS) wing of the GHMC was actively involved in the exercise. The officials have identified as many as 12,182 unauthorised constructions in 173 major nalas which were spread over 390 km. From these, the civic body has identified 823 critical bottlenecks.
When asked about the delay in clearing critical bottlenecks, a senior GHMC official on condition of anonymity said that the state government has been deliberately delaying the process. In order to clear the bottlenecks the GHMC should take up demolition drive. Nearly 1,000 structures need to be razed, which have the backing of major political parties, he said.
The official said that the proposed nala clearance drive should be completed by May 31 but GHMC is yet to begin the process. He also said that it will become a Herculean task for the civic body to embark on clearing bottlenecks during monsoon.
When asked about inundation in the low-lying areas, the official said that the public will suffer during monsoon. He said in order to minimise the inundation the GHMC is planning to pump out water using heavy duty machines.
He also said that the corporation has only managed to complete 56 per cent of nala desilting works which will also keep other areas under high risk. He said most of the areas in the Central Zone will be inundated, as Hussainsagar nala and others connecting nalas does have proper sewer network.
The GHMC official further said that the if the government gives nod, the corporation would improve 8.53 kilometre length storm water drain with Rs 88.73 crore in the west zone, 1.58 storm water drains with Rs 20.35 crore in east zone, 1.9 kilometre nalas with Rs 20 crore in central zone, 2.26 kilometre nalas with Rs 20 crore in north zone 2.37 kilometre nalas with Rs 24.20 crore in the south zone.
