Osman Nagar residents seek drainage fix before monsoon

HYDERABAD: Residents of Osman Nagar Colony in Jalpally municipality are at their wits’ end over getting a drainage overflow issue in their locality that has been hindering them for the past three years, with no action from authorities despite repeated complaints.

Sewage water from two drains in the area leaks into the Osman Nagar Lake, raising a stink. The issue compounds during monsoon as the water enters residences.

“Summer is a blessing for us as it keeps the sewage water levels low enough from entering our homes. It's shameful that this is our standard for a normal life,” said Amina Khatoon, a resident of the area.

Residents said that due to a lack of sewage pipes, drain water from nearby Wadi-e-Saleheen, American Township and Green City flows into the Burhankhan Talaab.

They alleged that their requests for another outlet for the water flow fell on deaf ears as the lands in the Balapur area through which they would have to pass are owned by supporters of local MLA and education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy.

Residents took to the streets and staged a protest at the Dharna Chowk, but were denied permission for a tent. “We went to the High Court to get the necessary permit to stage a peaceful protest because we were always met with opposition because of the big names involved,” a resident said.

Following the protest, they met home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, who assured to help them and directed them to meet collector Amoy Kumar.

“We were told to come again next week to meet with the revenue officers, but this isn't the first time we have been asked to meet someone or the other, only to be disappointed and pushed around,” Shaikh Sayeed Bawazeer, a resident and social worker, said.

Residents said that repeated pleas to the MLA fell on deaf ears, while Chevalla MP Ranjith Reddy offered to help, but has not taken any action since.

MP Ranjith Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that the problem was between people of two colonies — Osman Nagar and Saif 2 Colony. “A solution was to drain the water to the other colony, but residents there said they were unwilling to drain the water through their colony. We offered another solution, asking residents of Osman Nagar to shift to another land provided by the government, which they refused. There's only so much that can be done,” he said.

However, residents countered by questioning why they should move when the government was in a position to fix the problem.

“This problem emerged only now. If there was no other solution, how come we never suffered like this three years earlier? It's only because land sharks created lands, encroached on the area and meddled with the pipelines,” Raza Khan, another resident, said.

Sabitha Indra Reddy remained unavailable for comment.