Stormwater drains incapacity exposed

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsJust one spell of heavy rain has exposed the incapacity of city's stormwater drains. Almost all the city roads, main and interior, were inundated with rain water up to 5 feet and above 5 feet in low-lying areas, forcing people to stay awake all Friday night.Roads remained water-logged for hours because the drains, laid during the Nizams' rule, have not been widened in five decades. Most drains meant to discharge rain water have been turned into sewers with residents discharging sewerage into them. Open nalas have become garbage dumping points for residents and eateries. Unauthorised buildings have sprung up in some nalas.After the flash floods in August 2000, the government appointed Kirloskar Consultants to suggest modernisation of nalas.It was found that the drainage system had been designed for a rainfall of 12 mm/hour. Disappearance of floor absorbing tanks, dumping of garbage in open nalas, encroachments of water bodies, emergence of housing colonies in the foreshore of tanks, dumping of building material and debris on road margins resulting in silting of drains were cited as other factors.The consultant recommended widening of drains to 60-80 feet at some points and 40-50 feet at others. At many places, the nalas are not more than 10 feet wide. The consultants prepared a master plan for SW drains for 170 km which was to cost Rs 6,246 crore.Under JNNURM, Kukatpally, Murki and Balkapur nalas were taken up but only a third of the work could be completed. Secondary nalas covering Yellareddyguda, Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Picket, Errum Manzil Colony and others were proposed but work is delayed.first published:July 22, 2012, 10:22 ISTlast updated:July 22, 2012, 10:22 IST
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Just one spell of heavy rain has exposed the incapacity of city's stormwater drains. Almost all the city roads, main and interior, were inundated with rain water up to 5 feet and above 5 feet in low-lying areas, forcing people to stay awake all Friday night.

Roads remained water-logged for hours because the drains, laid during the Nizams' rule, have not been widened in five decades.

Most drains meant to discharge rain water have been turned into sewers with residents discharging sewerage into them. Open nalas have become garbage dumping points for residents and eateries. Unauthorised buildings have sprung up in some nalas.

After the flash floods in August 2000, the government appointed Kirloskar Consultants to suggest modernisation of nalas.

It was found that the drainage system had been designed for a rainfall of 12 mm/hour. Disappearance of floor absorbing tanks, dumping of garbage in open nalas, encroachments of water bodies, emergence of housing colonies in the foreshore of tanks, dumping of building material and debris on road margins resulting in silting of drains were cited as other factors.

The consultant recommended widening of drains to 60-80 feet at some points and 40-50 feet at others. At many places, the nalas are not more than 10 feet wide. The consultants prepared a master plan for SW drains for 170 km which was to cost Rs 6,246 crore.

Under JNNURM, Kukatpally, Murki and Balkapur nalas were taken up but only a third of the work could be completed. Secondary nalas covering Yellareddyguda, Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Picket, Errum Manzil Colony and others were proposed but work is delayed.