Kurnool City Struggles Sans Underground Drainage System

 Kurnool: The absence of an underground drainage system in Kurnool has worsened the city’s lack of preparedness for heavy rains.

With a population of 6.5 lakh spread across 52 municipal divisions, Kurnool struggles with flooding during torrential rains ever since the devastating 2009 floods. The municipal administration is not responsive to the resultant plight of the people.

Some 33 of the divisions are within the Kurnool assembly limits, 16 in the Panyam assembly limits, and 3 in the Kodumuru assembly limits.

Many drains, laid long ago, are unable to manage the influx of rainwater, leading to severe water-logging. The city relies on natural water bodies like the Tungabhadra river, Handri river, KC Canal, and Vakkileru stream to eject stormwater. However, in the absence of a proper underground drainage system, water gets accumulated.

Residents and commuters have grown accustomed to streets filled with stagnant wastewater and potholes, with extension colonies being the worst affected. In these areas, residents face the challenge of wading through waterlogged streets, where water can rise up to one and a half feet from the surface.

Locals say municipal authorities are focusing solely on tax collection and showing no interest in attending to civic problems. They limit their development efforts to main roads and prominent circles, while ignoring basic infrastructure in other areas.

While the city lacks a proper underground drainage system, there are also instances of drinking water pipelines and sewage lines breaking together at some points, mixing filth with water and posing a grave health hazard for the residents.

"Underground drainage helps redirect waste water from homes, commercial places and other structures to treatment plants or to water bodies in the vicinity. This provides a clean and effective method for managing rainwater and waste," said a municipal official.

He said a proper underground drainage system (UDS) typically includes sewage treatment plants, manholes, storm drains, catch basins and pipes. Such systems are essential for managing rainwater and wastewater in both residential and commercial areas. This, however, requires significant budget allocations.

The state government claims to have plans to address this issue for Kurnool but the results are yet to show up.

Krishna Mohan, a resident of the Nandyal check post area, voiced his frustration. “We experience severe water-logging in low-lying areas during every heavy rain. The promised UGD project is dragging on for a long time. The civic body is focusing solely on tax collection rather than improving essential services like drainage.”