HYDERABAD: Caught unawares by a sudden spurt of rains on Thursday, commuters were left struggling as potholes popped up on roads across the city. According to
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials, the civic agency has spotted 13,122 of them since July. "Teams are working round the clock to fill up potholes and to make roads safer," said B Janardhan Reddy, GHMC commissioner. So far, the civic body has filled 12,959 potholes.
A TOI recce found lack of co-ordination between line departments and roads falling under different departments one of the key reasons for bad state of city roads.
The maintenance of roads largely come under the care of GHMC and Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL). There are many roads where both agencies have to share the responsibility. And a few roads also come under
Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited.
Crucially, in some places, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is yet to restore roads dug up for laying water pipelines. Commuters had a tough time to wade through waterlogged streets on Thursday, again a result of poor drainage system.
Traffic, too, was out of gear in many parts of the city. Anjaiah Nagar, Gachibowli, Nanakramguda to
Khajaguda, Madhapur, Monda Market (Secunderabad), Wesley PG College (Mc-Intyre Road,) St John's Road (Secunderabad), Film Nagar to Shaikpet Road, Lakdikapul to Saifabad stretch and stretch near TRS Bhavan Park and
Banjara Hills were in bad shape - waterlogged, scattered bitumen and potholes.
And in places such as Jubliee Hills Check Post, Secunderabad, Begumepet, Madahpur, Masabtank rains overflowing manholes added to commuters' misery.
On many roads, flow of traffic was hampered motorists were able to use only a part of the road due to space crunch owing to waterlogging. "Generally, half the road is unused by motorists to avoid rainwater mixed with sewage, resulting in traffic jam. Every time it rains, the commuting time doubles," said Raghavendra Gollepalli, a motorist on Aanjaiah Ragar Road in Gachibowli.
Potholes near LB Nagar Metro Station.
