GHMC Fails to Keep Promises
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has failed to keep its promises to residents during the monsoon season. Despite lip service from officials, ministers, local MLAs, corporators, and political leaders, flooding continues to plague colonies such as Malkajgiri, East Anandbagh, and parts of Safilguda. The problem has not been solved despite repeated appeals from residents.
Stormwater drains are necessary to mitigate the issue of flooding, but not even 50% of the works have been completed. Three lakes – Safilguda Lake, RK Puram Lake, and Banda Cheruvu or Anandbagh Cheruvu – are linked together. When there is heavy rainfall, colonies such as Sai Baba Colony and NMDC Colony in East Anandbagh get inundated as there is no proper outlet for backwaters to exit.
After the massive flood in 2020, GHMC proposed to construct stormwater drains. However, the works have not progressed as fast as they should have. According to B.T. Srinivasan, General Secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, this year’s monsoon season will be equally disastrous.
The main reason for the inundation of colonies in Malkajgiri is due to the lack of a properly integrated drain network. The existing drainage system cannot handle sewage outflows because the population and number of households have increased manifold. Although laying new sewage pipelines was proposed, there has been no progress.
Residents of these colonies have repeatedly complained to authorities about the issue and requested that officials take action. However, they have yet to see any progress.
