Hyderabad: It's nearly the middle of June and Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) officials are yet to complete desilting of nalas and covering drains in their jurisdiction, lamented many residents living in SCB limits. They dread at the very thought of the horrific inundation in 2020 and fear a repeat if authorities don't begin work on a priority basis.
"The recent unseasonal rains have given an indication of what our lanes would look like if it rains for over an hour. Even drizzles leave our neighbourhood waterlogged for two days. In the absence of planning and precautionary measures, we are sure to suffer, especially those living in low-lying areas," said Surya Teja Prakash, a resident of Dhanalakshmi Colony, which was the worst-hit during the floods more than two years ago.
The cantonment area has three major nalas at Patny, Picket and Hasmathpet. While Patny nala was taken up under Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP) last year, the other two await proper development. More than 50 colonies in the cantonment area were flooded in October 2020. As a result of overflowing nalas, people living Progressive Colony, Bapuji Nagar, Rasoolpura, Krishnanagar, Dhanalakshmi Colony, SBH Colony Park View Colony, India Airlines Colony, Chinnathokata, Annanagar and ICRISAT Colony bore the brunt.
M. Devender, superintendent, solid waste management of SCB, claimed that the first phase of a pre-monsoon check was undertaken in April.
"The second one is due this month. We will continue the process of desilting and clearing away branches and leaves and cleaning sewage and other waste clog drains during the rainy season," Devender said.
He added that 70HP 200LC poclain machines were used to clean nalas and some 2-4 feet deep drains.
Locals, however, point out that only a small part of the sludge was removed, which is regular protocol and cannot be termed as 'monsoon preparedness'. "We have been witnessing for several years together how preparatory measures are taken ahead of monsoon. Just unclogging at a couple of places is not the solution," said Parvati Jella from Rasoolpura.
Others pointed out that the sludge, which officials claim have been removed, is dumped outside compound walls. "How is just the movement of waste from one place to another considered cleaning? Once it pours, the waste is bound to be washed away into the same drains and nalas and cause flooding," reasoned J.M. Reddy, another resident.
Meanwhile, an insider shared that due to lack of funds, the process is being delayed.
"The money used for the 'first phase' was the amount that remained from the previous tender,' a source said.
"But how long will they just sit there waiting for money to come? We can't lose lives. As we can’t remain idle, we have even approached the municipal minister K.T. Rama Rao to issue directions for taking up nala works at Hasmathpet and Picket, like done with Patny. However, rather than wait for his nod, urgent action needs to be taken up before it's too late," Reddy said.
