The Hyderabad Development Authority (HYDRA) has taken a significant step to address illegal constructions on drainage systems, spearheaded by Commissioner Ranganath. This initiative comes after reports of land encroachments on lakes, leading to the decision to inspect the drainage systems in areas like Lakdikapul and Raj Bhavan.
On-Site Inspections Reveal Neglected Drainage
During his visit, Ranganath inspected various drains, noting that one was completely clogged while another was filled with debris. He concluded that these issues had persisted for years. To tackle the city’s flooding problems, he has proposed creating a report on the state of the drainage systems across Hyderabad. Ranganath also focused on encroachments on footpaths in areas prone to severe traffic jams.
Frequent Flooding Due to Poor Drainage
Residents are well aware that even a brief ten-minute rain can inundate many parts of Hyderabad, transforming roads into temporary lakes. HYDRA officials have identified the primary causes of these flooding issues as the lack of a proper drainage system and the failure to clear waste from drains and stormwater drains. Addressing these problems has become a priority for the agency.
Annual Expenditure on Drainage Maintenance
Currently, the Greater Hyderabad region has a drainage system spanning 1,302 kilometers. The government spends approximately ₹50 crore annually to remove waste from these systems, yet the condition of the drains remains poor. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the dredging efforts. Reports indicate that some drains are in a state of disrepair without any intervention.
Investigation into Dredging Expenditures
In light of these issues, HYDRA and GHMC officials are preparing to investigate the condition of minor drains across the city. They plan to assess how much has been spent on dredging operations and the volume of waste removed. Previous discrepancies have come to light, revealing that payments were made for dredging that may not have actually occurred, leading to cases against several engineers and contractors, though there has been little change in official practices.