Hyderabad ULBs work to make the city flood resistant

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HYDERABAD: A comprehensive plan to link the four largest lakes in the region has been taken up by the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to prevent flooding during periods of heavy rain in low-lying sections of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). A review meeting was held on Wednesday at the Jawahar Nagar dump yard by Arvind Kumar, Municipal Administration Special Chief Secretary, along with representatives from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP), Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Ltd (HRDCL) and other organisations.

He highlighted future projects to be undertaken while reviewing the status of current projects in these three ULBs. According to the departments of SNDP and HMDA, water from the Jawahar Nagar waste yard runs through Dammai Cheruvu, Nasin Cheruvu, Komatikunta Cheruvu, and Cherlapally Cheruvu via Dhayara Kunta because of the natural downstream. Kumar directed the officials to submit a report outlining the best way to connect these four lakes and install channel valves to maintain water levels and avoid flooding.

Consequently, the work on the stormwater drain from Nasin Cheruvu to Komatikunta Cheruvu will begin. Additionally, the Metropolitan Commissioner granted administrative approval for nine works totalling Rs 20.42 crore to be undertaken to beautify Dammai Cheruvu, lay CC (Cement Concrete) roads, and strengthen the infrastructure in these ULBs. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) stated that it had begun construction in these three ULBs worth Rs 209.63 crore to provide water delivery infrastructure to the extended areas outside of GHMC borders within ORR (Outer Ring Road). The Metropolitan Commissioner also ordered the HMWSSB officials to submit a report and consider extending a free water supply scheme of 20KL to these ULBs due to contaminated groundwater as a result of proximity to the waste yard.