Hyderabad: Chaderghat retaining wall yet to be replaced

Chaderghat: It has been more than two months since the retaining wall of the Chaderghat lower bridge and streetlights were washed away in the Musi river floods, but the civic body is yet to construct the wall and install streetlights on the stretch. Commuters allege that they face difficulties passing the bridge, as there is no retaining wall.

Hundreds of vehicles pass through the bridge. Lack of retaining wall has been creating problems for commuters. "No one is concerned about construction of the wall. The condition of the road on the bridge is horrible. If someone slips or any incident occurs, the person will be washed away in the river," said Shaik Mujeeb, a regular commuter.

The October rains lashed several areas in the City. Areas near the Musi were flooded. One of the most affected areas was the Chaderghat lower bridge. The flood water flowed over the bridge leading to the collapse of the retaining wall along with streetlights. Still the entire bridge is left without boundary. Only bamboos were kept temporarily to serve the purpose.

"Most of the bamboos placed as boundary wall have collapsed. It is totally dangerous for the commuters to ride on the bridge without a boundary wall. Months have passed still no work has been taken up. This shows the negligence of GHMC. The civic body must construct the wall as early as possible," said K Rajesh, another commuter.

During nights the risk factor has doubled for commuters, as there are no streetlights on the entire stretch. "Commuters are facing a double whammy during night as it is totally dark. The concerned officers must take immediate action and resolve the issue," said Mohammed Sarwar, a resident of Moosa Nagar.

He said that his fellow residents and those of the surrounding areas near the Musi were also facing hardships, because of lack of the retaining wall. Several residents had been using the footpath abutting the wall. With no boundary wall and footpath has been worrying them. The residents have requested and given several complaints, but no works have been taken up," he added.

According to a GHMC official, the desilting works are going on. Soon after they are completed the retaining wall will be constructed. "As part of the beautification of the Musi bank, the desilting works and construction of walking space are being done near the river.

The entire project, including building of the retaining wall, will be taken up simultaneously. It would be completed at the earliest," said the officer, preferring anonymity.