HYDERABAD: The GHMC spent Rs 480 crores of Central funds to remove encroachments from nalas and more money to desilt drains. Just one rain exposed that the money was used to line officials’ pockets. The nalas were blocked, and the city’s roads and many areas went under water.
The GHMC said it spent Rs 200 crore to recarpet over 100 km of roads in June. The torn-apart roads stand proof to the poor quality of material used by contractors that went unchecked by the GHMC’s quality control.
The rain has exposed how rampant corruption can damage the city. The GHMC says 2 lakh houses are built on nalas. The engineering section oversees all civic infrastructure works, mainly roads and drains. Funds are allocated for each project circle-wise; the engineering wing deals with the design, planning and execution. Certain officials are said to make a cut in every deal.
Roads, nalas look untouched
The GHMC said it has removed illegal structures along nalas at Balkapur, Kukatpally, Murka, Hussainsagar nalas, Picket, Banjara Hills, Yellareddyguda, Punjagutta, Yousufguda, Nagamaiah Kunta, Kalasiguda, Dandu Mansion and the Chemical nala.
But many of these areas were submerged by rainwater. Last June, recarpeting was done at Liberty, Basheerbagh, Abids, Charminar, Aliabad, Chandrayangutta, Dabeerpura, Saidabad, DRDL, Kanchanbagh, LB Nagar, Dilsukhnagar, Amberpet roads and the stretch from Panjagutta to Secunderabad. Today, these roads look as if they have not been touched in years.
