Principal secretary of MAUD, Arvind Kumar, answers queries of TOI readers on measures being taken by government to bring Hyderabad back on its feet, after the recent floods
Q. Has the government taken any decision to widen nalas as a permanent solution to flooding? —P Mallareddy
Occupying areas in the buffer and FTL (Full Tank Level) is not something new and is a result of decades of encroachments. Fifteen teams of engineers visited all 185 lakes in and around Hyderabad post rains and have submitted their report on what needs to be done. Further, MAUD minister K T Rama Rao has directed to set up a dedicated ‘Strategic Nala Development Programme’ to concentrate on all drains/nala/storm water drains to ensure that another flood is avoided in the future. The SNDP will study all major drains and take up measures for unhindered flow of water. The minister is also coordinating with the irrigation department to come up with a strategy to manage lakes within ORR on lines of SNDP. Modalities are being finalised and it will be announced soon.
Q. Drainage/water supply manholes are either below or above road level in the city and pose serious threat especially during rains. Why is GHMC not bringing them to road level? —Prasad Rao Ch
Buried or raised sewer manholes do pose a threat in terms of safety. While the road is looked after by GHMC, manholes are within the domain of HMWSSB. There are a total of 2,74,000 manholes in the city. HMWSSB constantly takes up a drive aimed at “at-grade flushing” of manholes i.e maintaining the height in sync with road height. A total of 25,000 manholes were taken up for at-grade flushing last year at the cost of Rs 21 crore and another 19,000 manholes are proposed to be taken up now at the cost of Rs 18 crore. As a permanent solution, we propose to synchronise the road laying activity by GHMC wherein the height of manholes is adjusted automatically by the same agency. We also plan to shift the water and sewer lines to the right of way, margins whenever road widening is proposed.
Q. Please bring back to life the lake/ tank in R K Puram, Malkajigiri with proper inlets and outlets. Also, please initiate desilting and removal of encroachments from Safilguda lake.
—Shekar Reddy
There are no major encroachments in inlets and outlets to the lake though there are some encroachments towards Bhagath Singh Nagar and Bank Colony. The lake restoration is taken up under Mission Kakatiya Phase-IV with an estimated cost of Rs 11.80 crore. The de-siltation of the lake has been completed. To prevent further encroachments, the ring bund has been formed around the lake. Removal of water hyacinth is being taken up periodically to improve the lake’s ecosystem. Further, the recently constituted SNDP has been mandated to study the R K Puram lake and suggest measures to ensure it has proper inlets from the catchment area. Improvements will be seen before next monsoon.
Q. What is the solution to Hyderabad’s drainage issues? —Ajith Nair
With a capacity of 772 MLD, HMWSSB treats about 37% of drinking water in Hyderabad which is among the highest in the country. It has a network of 25 Sewerage Treatment Plants across the city. To augment its capacity, Shaha Technical Consultants have prepared a comprehensive Sewerage Master Plan for Hyderabad which envisages construction of 63 STPs and laying of 8,500 km of sewerage network. In order to have a comprehensive Drain Management Network, a committee of three chief engineers has prepared a report proposing a drain network of about 45 kms at a cost of Rs 600 crore. The SNDP shall ensure free flow of water in nalas duly undertaking removal of encroachments and relief and rehabilitation wherever required.
Q. The SCB has completely failed to maintain stormwater and drainage lines in the area or provide sufficient drinking water to people. Why is the state not merging SCB with GHMC for betterment of people? —Malla Surender Kumar
SCB is one of the 62 cantonment boards in India and is governed by the Cantonments Act, 2006. It has a democratically elected body which manages the civic issues. Further, the state government allots finances from the Finance Commission Grants to SCB to undertake civic infrastructure. The merger of SEB with GHMC may not be feasible since the Cantonment area is under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.