HYDRAA Has Been Removing Slabs To Clear Silt
Officials said openings every three metres would have allowed regular cleaning. Joint traffic police commissioner Joel Davis and officials from various departments joined the inspection.
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA commissioner A. V. Ranganath said drains and stormwater channels choked with heavy silt were a major reason for flooding in several parts of the city. During a field inspection in Kondapur, Shamshabad and Attapur, Ranganath found that drains covered with concrete slabs had prevented desilting for years. Garbage and silt had accumulated, blocking rainwater flow and raising flood risks in low‑lying areas.
Officials said openings every three metres would have allowed regular cleaning. Joint traffic police commissioner Joel Davis and officials from various departments joined the inspection. At Jubilee Gardens in Kondapur, authorities found floodwater from Botanical Gardens and nearby colonies unable to reach Mondi Kunta due to blocked drains, causing severe flooding during recent rains.
HYDRAA officials said slabs are now being removed and large‑scale desilting works taken up. A stormwater channel near Meenakshi Apartments had narrowed from 2.15 metres to about 1.5 metres, with pipelines laid across it further restricting flow.
Similar problems were observed in Shamshabad, Attapur and Ramdev Baba Nagar. Ranganath directed officials to remove slabs wherever necessary, complete desilting and install grills over open drains for safety. The grills should allow easy opening every three metres for future maintenance.
He instructed officials to provide permanent solutions and said he would review progress within a week. Irrigation, municipal, revenue and police departments were asked to work together to prevent flooding and reduce inconvenience to residents.
