GHMC carries works at nala sans desilting

Dabeerpura: Caught in the midst of the two constituencies and with public representatives evading responsibility, the Dabeerpura nala, which has a history of overflow and inundation of the residential colonies nearby, is once again in the limelight, following works of constructing a slab were taken up by the GHMC.

Even though the desilting works of the nala have been continuing for the past one month, locals have alleged that the construction works were being taken up without proper removal of garbage and silt which could choke it, even as the past encroachments remain intact.

Residents and business establishments near Babu Miyan hotel found that the stench emitting from the nala makes people sick, even as plastic bags and garbage can be seen swirling freely with sewage water. The hazardous situation faced by the locals is still fresh in the minds of the people in whose houses the nala water entered following heavy downpour each year. Even in normal times, the locality drains, near the Dabeerpuranala and gets choked and keeps overflowing. But whenever it rains, the entire area gets flooded, while submerging the tail-end houses.

The residents have resigned to their fate as authorities are deaf and blind to their woes. "Several representations have been made to the GHMC and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) to clean up the nala, but there is no response. Officials keep passing the buck," says Shaik Imtiaz Ali, a social activist, while speaking to The Hans India here on Friday.

While the silt and garbage continue to obstruct the free flow of nala, encroachments on its bed have only added to the problem. Over the years, the width of the nala has narrowed to a large extent.

Heaps of garbage can be seen strewn all over it. "In the absence of a garbage bin, people keep throwing the waste in the nala. We do educate them against such practice, but we can't stop them," Imtiaz Ali lamented. It may be mentioned here that the GHMC Commissioner, Dana Kishore along with local MLA, MLC and Corporator made a visit to the nala. He said that the works were being sanctioned at the nala and along with desilting works and assured that the nala overflow would not happen this time.

On Thursday, MLA, Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri and MLC, Mirza Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi and others visited the spot to examine the works.