Hyderabad: The pipes in the Modern Government Maternity Hospital at Petlaburj, broken a week ago, are yet to be repaired, causing trouble to patients and others.
Hospital authorities say these are not sewer pipes but water pipes, but there is a stench, as they broke due to the movement of heavy vehicles carrying loads for the ongoing works for a parking facility, they say.
“As the pipes broke, what they eject is giving out a stench that’s unbearable to patients and the staff. Worse, the area is not being cleaned because of less staff,” said attendant Md Ashraf.
“Water is continuously leaking from these pipes and the place is always wet, making it troublesome for mothers and infants. The water has spread all over the area and one could see people fearful of stepping in because of the dirty water and stench,” he said.
A senior staff member at the hospital said, “The hospital should increase the number of security and housekeeping staff to ensure cleanliness. Many patients and their families throw away leftover food in the hospital premises and many of them wash their clothes here.”
“Despite warnings, nobody listens and we cannot monitor the condition constantly as we are under-staffed. Unless the security is beefed up, the situation will not improve,” said the official.
7,000 notices issued to set up slit chamber in city
Hotels, hospitals and dairy farms are the biggest violators of Sewerage Board rules. Officials said the sewerage system is overloaded, and may overflow soon due to the solid waste being dumped in it.
Following this, the Board has issued 7,000 notices to commercial establishments to install silt chambers which will segregate solid waste from sewage water. Those found dumping waste will be penalised for the first offence and assets will be seized if the offence is repeated.
Over 90 per cent of the choking of sewer lines is due to the waste flushed down toilets, dumped in open drains or directly into manholes. In residential areas, everything from sanitary napkins and condoms to cigarette butts and plastic are dumped, and in commercial areas, it is kitchen waste and plastic.
Speaking on this, HMWS&SB MD Dana Kishore said, “The issue was taken up with the municipal administration. It was decided that every Thursday, starting next week, the GHMC, Metro Water Board and the city traffic department will form teams and inspect commercial and residential areas to detect the dumping of garbage in drains.
Those found guilty will be fined on the spot. Meanwhile, sewer wing staff has been directed to issue circulars to all consumers on fine slabs. Apart from joint operations, HMWS&SB staff will inspect sewer network in various divisions every day. The HMWSSB is authorised to seal the premises of regular offenders.
He added that in some divisions many households rear cattle on their premises and animal waste and grass is being dumped in the lines.
