Waterlogging at Hyderabad Metro stations

Hyderabad: With heavy rains, streets outside Metro stations have become waterlogged, leading to traffic slow-down. On Monday, the roads at BR Ambedkar, Balanagar, KPHB, Erragadda, Ameerpet, and SR Nagar stations were waterlogged. When it rains, water gushes out of the central medians, Metro Rail viaduct and also from the station.

At places like SR Nagar, waterlogging occurs because of the latitudinal flow of water onto the main road and the catchment area in the major portion of the city is on the roads. Professor Lakshman Rao, director and Professor for Centre of Excellence on Disaster Management, JNTUH College of Engineering Hyderabad said, “This has been the case historically for the city were the heights are increased. Median based exclusive storm water drains can be used. 

The floodwater during the rains and right after the rains needs to be immediately moved to a low lying area to reduce the inundation. Even the water from stations flows onto the road, which should be stopped. Exclusive median-based storm water drains should be used.”

He suggested using steel reinforced poly carbonate pipes to divert floodwater to low-lying areas. This costs less and can be constructed quickly. HMRL authorities, however, are confident that the inundated areas will be cleared quickly. Managing director of HMRL, N.V.S. Reddy, said, “We have revived many cross drains. 

The rain water harvesting pits are helping divert the water. Even if there is temporary stagnation, the water is quickly receding. At places such as Moosapet and Balnagar there are inherent problems. On Sunday I conducted an inspection and instructed engineers to arrive at a temporary solution to avoid water stagnation.”