The Telangana government’s Strategic Nala Development Program (SNDP) in Hyderabad is still not finished, and the monsoon is coming soon. The delay in these projects may lead to flooding in the city again. In the first phase of SNDP, 60 nalas are being developed with a cost of Rs 958 crore. Of these, 37 are in the GHMC limits and the rest are in the surrounding municipalities. The GHMC has completed 15 components of the 37 projects initiated under the monsoon action plan, and eight more are nearing completion.
The SNDP projects have been delayed due to land acquisition issues and the shifting of underground utilities such as sewage pipelines and cables. The works include building bridges/culverts, repairing existing drains, widening stormwater drains, constructing retaining walls, and building box drains. SNDP was formed after heavy flooding in Hyderabad in October 2020 that caused damage to infrastructure and loss of lives.
Municipal administration and urban development minister K T Rama Rao has directed officials to complete Phase-I by June 1, before the monsoon season starts. However, various projects, including six in LB Nagar zone, five in Secunderabad zone, three in Charminar, and one in Kukatpally zone are still pending. Under Phase-II of SNDP, 148 works in GHMC limits have been designated on a priority basis.
