Sewage flows into Ameenpur lake through SNDP drain

Sewage flowing in stormwater drains is not a new story in Hyderabad, and it is part of the reason why the city lakes have been shrinking and stinking.

The drains built under the Strategic Nala Development Programme too are now becoming victims of sewage dumping, as witnessed by Kausalya Colony of Bachupally. If unaddressed, this issue could pollute the Ameenpur lake irrecoverably, turning it into another sewage receptacle.

A complaint was received by Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency from the residents of the colony during its Prajavani programme on Monday, which urged the agency to rescue the drain from the sewage flow.

The SNDP, under which several drains were widened and strengthened, was initiated by the government in 2021, as a measure towards flood preparedness post the devastating floods of 2020, when over 50 persons died in the city.

The drain at Kausalya Colony was intended to carry surplus flows from Maddela Kunta Cheruvu in the colony park, to Ameenpur lake.

“The massive drain was designed and constructed as an open channel, but we requested the municipal authorities to lay a slab as it meandered through residential localities, and there was risk of children falling in it. We rescued many puppies from the drain after accidental falls,” K. Ranjith Kumar, a resident and office-bearer of the community welfare association shared.

The slab work was begun, and partly done, and before it could be finished, the drain’s wall was smashed open to let sewage from Bachupally into it, he alleged.

“Two sewerage pipelines were laid across the drain in order to separate the sewage from storm water, but a neighbouring plot owner dug up a diversion channel below the level of the sewerage pipes, and broke the drain to let sewage into the drain,” Mr. Ranjith Kumar said.

Residents of many apartment complexes close by are facing a harrowing time owing to open drainage flow, and the resultant mosquito menace, he says. Collapse of drainage manholes in the locality are adding to the woes.

In addition, as the drain empties into the Ameenpur lake, sewage flow through it will pollute the lake, affecting the rich avian population there.

Through representation, the colony residents sought permanent resolution for the problem through proper sealing of the drain, reconstruction of the damaged manholes, restoration of the drain to its original shape, and regular monitoring of the drain to prevent illegal drainage connections.