Hyderabad: Roads Flooded Due to Improper Waste Disposal by Hotels and Eateries During Monsoon
During the monsoon season in Hyderabad, heavy rains are causing severe flooding on roads near hotels, restaurants, and other eateries. This flooding is primarily due to the choking of the city’s sewer system. The problem arises because these businesses are dumping kitchen waste directly into the drains, leading to blockages that further damage the drainage infrastructure.
In areas where hotels and restaurants are concentrated, the sewer systems are frequently overwhelmed. These establishments are not following proper solid waste management practices, and as a result, kitchen waste ends up in the drainage lines. This improper disposal causes the sewers to overflow whenever it rains heavily, leading to significant flooding.
A recent example of this issue occurred at Tolichowki Junction. During torrential rains, the entire road was submerged in knee-deep water. Vehicles, including bikes, autos, and cars, were seen floating, and floodwater entered nearby houses and commercial establishments like Rumaan Hotel and Limra Function Hall. This kind of waterlogging has become a common problem in the area whenever there is heavy rainfall.
Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin inspected the area after the heavy rains on Tuesday. He discovered that the sewer system was clogged with kitchen waste. According to him, hotels and roadside food stalls along the stretch are disposing of used cooking oil, food scraps, and other waste into the drains. This improper practice has blocked the sewer system, leading to severe flooding.
Mohiuddin mentioned that the GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) had recently remodeled the sewer and stormwater lines in response to complaints from the AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). However, despite these efforts, the area still floods during heavy rains. He warned the hotel management that repeated violations of waste disposal rules could lead to the seizure of their establishments by civic authorities.
Residents in Tolichowki have also voiced their concerns. They report that overflowing drainage has become a regular issue because of hotels dumping food waste into the sewer lines. Mohammed Nayeemuddin, a local resident, stated that “the entire road is covered with dirty, oily water gushing out from the manholes, creating a foul smell and causing significant flooding during rains.” He added that this situation causes a lot of inconvenience for residents and makes it difficult for commuters to pass through the slippery, waterlogged roads.
This issue is not limited to Tolichowki. Across several parts of the city, where eateries are concentrated, similar problems are observed. These eateries are dumping kitchen waste into the drains, leading to drainage blockages and sewage overflow onto the roads. This also causes the drainage systems in nearby residential areas to get choked.
During cleaning operations by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), it was found that many hotels are dumping food waste into the drains, causing blockages. This results in drain water flowing onto the roads, making them slippery and creating inconvenience for commuters.
According to HMWSSB officials, the major causes of sewer system blockages and overflowing manholes are food waste and plastic being dumped into manholes and drain openings connected to the manholes. The officials explained that oil coats the underground pipes, reducing their capacity to carry water. Additionally, meat waste and bones wrapped in plastic covers are often secretly disposed of in manholes. These items are commonly retrieved during sewage cleaning and inspections.
The city authorities are urging better waste management practices from hotels and eateries to prevent such issues in the future.
