Hyderabad: Unfenced nalas (drains) across the city are waiting for a tragedy to happen.
Several such drains exist in parts of Miyapur, Gachibowli, Kukatpally, Nacharam, Narayanguda, Balkampet and Serilingampally. Some places even lack street lights, increasing the chances of accidents at night. That there are such unfenced drains on busy stretches is proof of the authorities’ lackadaisical attitude.
Residents say that drains in the IT corridor have never seen a fence. “Leave alone cleaning the drains near Serilingampally arch, at least they could fence it. This open drain is an invitation to a disaster,” said Mr Santosh Phaniram of Lingampally. The chain link fence around the drain is in a dilapidated condition.
“The chain fence was never repaired, and it is very difficult to travel at night. Thousands of commuters take this route, which connects Mallapur and Nacharam. Despite several complaints, this issue has remained unresolved,” said Bhavaninagar resident Mrs K. Padmavathi. Officials request residents not to dump waste into the drains, but nobody cares. And the broken mesh helps passersby throw garbage into the drains.
“We can see garbage piling up in the open drains,” says Ms Vara Lakshmi, a techie and Kukatpally resident. “A fence that can shield the drain from commuters would help.” A GHMC official said they would look into the complaints and address it immediately and also initiate action if required.
