Edible oil waste clogged drain

Hyderabad: Last Monday’s inundation of the Biodiversity junction leading to the Old Bombay Highway was due to edible oil being released illegally into drains from restaurants and homes. It took 17 hours for the clogged pipelines to be cleared. 

When the pipeline was broken open, it was found that the oil had solidified and a big ball mixed with plastic, construction waste and clothes was sitting at the mouth of the vent.

The waste that solidified and accumulated in the drain stopped the water from flowing out, causing flooding that obstructed traffic flow. This situation prevailed for two days. GHMC engineers and traffic police had to be out on the roads for about 30 hours, said GHMC executive engineer Venkat Ramana. “We then approached the police requesting them to close the road for 12 hours. Further, the bunds were excavated to drain the water out. After clearance, the pipes were removed and to everyone's surprise, a huge ball mixed with plastic bags and cloth was found sitting at the ring's mouth, not allowing even one drop of water into the pipes. This was the cause," Mr Ramana said.

Plastic is non-biodegradable, meaning it does not decay by the biological action of microbes. It remains in the same state. Oil discharged in drains solidifies and solid waste gets stuck to form a hard, huge chunk of waste.