Drainage problems continue to plague Old City

Civic issues are something which is synonymous with the Old City. Drainage system, laid during the Nizam era is taking a toll as the residents are plagued by various issues.

Pot-holed roads are the least of their concern for the residents of Old City, as they are constantly battling the perennial problem of over flowing drains, stagnation of rain water and many times, a mix of both. It does not need an expert to arrive at a conclusion that the walled city has always had problems related to waste water management and drainage systems. The drainage system has reportedly many faults and has created health problems for public too in a few low lying areas.

The drainage network was laid decades ago, as early as the Nizam period, keeping in mind the population the city had then. Hence if the residents feel aggrieved that they have always been receiving the rough end of the stick, they are totally justified.

Hyderabad Hans clicked a few pictures of the repair and relaying works going on at a few locations, like Shah Ali Banda Junction, Hussaini Alam and Khilwat; but the works are proceeding at a slow pace. At some places the drainage was being cleared and at others, the new drainage pipeline was being laid. “The rainy season is all but over and there is also a break from festival celebrations at the moment. At least now, the authorities should wake up and tackle the critical problem on a war footing”, opined a shop keeper, Shadab, while surveying the ongoing work outside his shop. For both the visiting public and the shopkeepers, it is a problem as dirty water keeps away the former and increases the maintenance activities of the latter.

For now, one can only hope the authorities work in coordination and solves this problem on priority, as quite often one works in cross-purposes against the other, digging or laying roads while drain pipes are strewn all around and vice versa.

BST