People suffer as sewage pipe-laying drags on

Talabkatta: The developmental works including laying of a new sewerage line in Talabchanchalam division has been pending since last 8 months causing inconvenience to the locals. The Corporator put the onus on the contractors for neglecting their works.

The delay in upgrading of works has badly affected and damaging other civic amenities causing further leakage in the lanes and causing inconvenience to the residents and commuters in Talabkatta. Several complaints were made to the officials of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) but to no avail.

Regular commuters who take this route are frustrated with the continuous sewerage leakage and dug-up roads. "Even after scores of attempts to resolve through temporary works, the issue of overflowing sewerage water in Talabkatta areas has not been solved. It's an old sewerage line and every alternate day the drain overflows in area and the entire roads are inundated in drain water," said Mohammed Moizuddin, a resident.

Residents who were already suffering from sewerage overflow are now facing the problem of dug-up roads of the works. The civic officials undertook repairs about 10 months ago and started digging up roads and only works related to 2 or 3 lanes could be completed, and most of the works have been pending for almost 8 months. "On one hand, people are facing problem due to dug-up roads, and on the other hand, the remaining space is occupied by the huge pipes which are part of upgrading these sewerage lines. The residents and commuters are facing problems. Even the manholes are kept open, posing hazard to locals, especially children," he added.

Following a spate of representations, the Corporator responded, stating that the works remained pending because of the contractors. "If the works were sanctioned then why the contractors are not performing their duty and why the GHMC authorities are not taking up action against such contractors," wondered Abdul Azeem, another resident. Speaking on the issue, Talabchanchalam division Corporator Nasreen Sultana said the Talabkatta areas has the old sewerage lines and after many representations the works for the new sewerage line were sanctioned with an amount of Rs 3 crore for entire area. The works were started around 10 months ago and after completing 2-3 lanes in area, the contractors kept the remaining works pending, she added.

"There are 3 contractors having different developmental works on their hand, including the main work of the new sewerage line. These contactors are dilly-dallying. Many complaints were also made against these contractors at GHMC Commissionerate, to local MLA and also taken to the notice of MP in his recent visit," added Nasreen. Affirming that these contractors will be blacklisted in the coming days, she assured that the works will be completed as early as possible.