The Hindu 09.11.2010
Fresh survey for Kukatpally stormwater drain
| ‘Encroachments leading to narrowing of drains, flooding' |
HYDERABAD: The GHMC is going for a fresh survey of one of the main stormwater drains, the Kukatpally drain, following protests from the local people that the ‘alignment' of the water body has changed over the years.
The Town Planning wing has been entrusted with the task of finalising the alignment, said Engineer-in-Chief (ENC) P. Panduranga Rao. The issue is symptomatic of various issues dogging a long standing plan for a decade to modernise storm water drains criss-crossing the twin cities. Encroachments on the drains or alongside them have led to narrowing of water channels causing flooding in different parts whenever it rains.
The GHMC's renewed efforts to repair and remodel the storm water drains has been painfully slow for the works have been divided into 15 packages and allotted three months ago.
This was despite funds being released, hydrological studies conducted, plans made ready, estimates prepared and structural compensation reports filed. The main issue is reluctance of people living on or alongside the drains to relocate. Of the 2,000-odd encroachments listed, only 500 have been removed with some of them moved to newly built houses for the poor.
“There is a minimum mark within which we cannot reduce the drain widths prescribed. But, unless the people affected and the public representatives cooperate, we cannot take up the work,” Dr. Rao, is candid. The required width is usually marked from the centre of the water body.
Modernisation plans have been prepared based on the flood levels expected once in five years, but public representatives are seeking levels be marked for floods expected once in a year.
The Centre had sanctioned Rs.142 crore in 2006 under the JNNURM for four major nalas like Muriki nala, Kukatpally nala, Picket nala and Balkapur channel, which empty into Hussainsagar, and another Rs. 124 crore in 2008 for widening of secondary nalas like Nagamaiah Kunta nala, Punjagutta nala, Yellareddyguda nala and Yousufguda nala.
Of the 31.27-km stretch of repairs proposed on the major drains like Murki, Kukatpally and Balkapur drains, work was done on 10.47-km stretch spending Rs. 51.55 crore with half the amount coming from JNNURM under the 35 per cent grant. State contributes 15 per cent and GHMC 50 per cent. The Mission's sanctioned grant is released only when work utilisation certificates are issued, he pointed out.
The ENC said tenders are being called for works for about Rs.91 crore. Repairs are to begin soon on Yousufguda, Yellareddyguda, Banjara Hills and Kalasiguda while they were in progress in Dandu Mansion, Gandhinagar and Nagamaiahkunta drains. A design consultant is looking into the Picket nala widening.
