3.5-km-Long Open Drain Drowns Yakutpura in Civic Quagmire

Hyderabad: Drainage overflow and a lack of garbage collection are the main problems affecting the Yakutpura Assembly constituency, with residents raising health concerns over a 3.5-kilometre-long uncovered nala passing through residential localities.

Residents said that around 800 houses in Ganganagar and Amanagar are the worst hit during monsoon as drain overflow, exacerbated by uncollected garbage, causes inundation and waterlogging up to four feet.

Another recent issue affecting residents is issues with the drinking water supply, with complaints from around 11 localities, which host hundreds of families, being affected for the past four months. They alleged inaction by authorities.

Among all the Assembly constituencies in the city, including Charminar, Malakpet, Chandrayangutta and Goshamahal, Yakutpura has the most densely populated localities, with multiple unattended issues.

Residents, especially those living along the long and uncovered drain, are in a state of constant fear.

“The nala is only three feet wide and nine-foot deep, as hard plastic, mud and other waste material, including concrete, has stuck to the bottom, increasing the water level. Even during seasons other than monsoon, the water level of nala remains high,” said 74-year-old Mohammed Nadeem, of Ganganagar.

“So far, nothing has been done to widen the nala or to clean the debris accumulated underneath, to decrease the water level,” Nadeem said.

Mumtaz Fatima, of Maula ka Chilla, said that with local representatives failing to resolve the nala issue, most house owners from Ganganagar, Amanagar, Maula ka Chilla, Babanagar, Imliban Maula ka Chilla and Talabkatta have shifted to other areas and rented out their premises to migrants.

“It is strange that the GHMC garbage collecting vehicles never bother to collect garbage dumped into the nala,” she said.

Zubair Ahmed, a Babanagar resident, said that if the GHMC clears the garbage regularly, waste would not fall into the nala, which would cause increased water overflow. “The representatives only come here at the time of election and are never seen again,” Zubair said.

Residents of the area said that with locals vacating, migrants shifting here are indulging in illegal activities, such as drug peddling.

“There are hundreds of migrants from other states involved in ganja peddling,” Hafeeza Banu of Talabkatta said.

Mansur Ahmed, Hafeeza’s husband, said: “I found a packet of ganja with my son two months ago, after which I found out about this issue. We informed the local police and the task force arrested nine unemployed youths consuming ganja in Talabkatta. But after their release, they have again started consuming drugs. Residents, especially women, are scared to pass that particular lane after 7 pm.”