Damaged roads and unfinished works turn nightmare for commuters
Near the Banjara Darwaza, a 100-metre stretch of road leading to Neknanmpur, has been severely damaged with sludge covering much of the surface.
“Riding through this section is nearly impossible. The mud is thick and slippery and the potholes are invisible,” said V. Raju, a motorist. He added that they face the risk of accidents and breakdowns.
There were similar woes at Narsingi. The roads connecting Tellapur fared no better, with large portions left crumbled and in disrepair. Pedestrians, especially elderly residents, struggle to navigate through the roads, which are dotted with potholes filled with water.
"You can’t see where the next pothole is when it rains, every step feels like one is walking through a minefield," said Rani Kumari, a school teacher.
The areas around MGBS Metro Rail station saw heavy waterlogging in the surrounding areas on Wednesday morning.
At Sultan Bazaar, shoppers faced a tough time navigating through ankle-deep stagnant water.
“You come out to shop and you're stuck in water. It’s a nightmare. The drains are clogged, and nothing seems to move,” said Heena M., a shopper, while Rasheed Islam said that because of the bad roads and waterlogging that most shoppers stay away from the area.
At Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, near Salar Jung Museum, the roads not only suffered damage but also became breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising health concerns among residents.
Purani Haveli area, located nearby, turned into a pool of standing water, with locals reporting an increase of the mosquito menace.
“We are worried about diseases now. The roads are cracked, and water gathers everywhere. Nothing is being done to fix it,” said resident S. Venkat.
The road at Virinchi junction in Banjara Hills was riddled with cracks, making driving treacherous, said another commuter.
Musheerabad and Zamistanpur residents had similar complaints of major damages to roads that left vehicles stuck in deep potholes.
“Driving has become a nightmare. The roads are so bad you can feel every bump in your back," said Advaith R, a student.
The aftermath of the rains has clearly left the city's infrastructure in tatters, with urgent repairs needed to restore normalcy. Commuters and residents are calling on authorities to address the situation swiftly before more rain exacerbates the damage.
"Fixing potholes here feels like a temporary solution, but what we need is a complete overhaul of the drainage system and road works," said Vijay, a frustrated local in Amberpet.