Residents urge permanent fix for nala overflow issue

Yakutpura: Come monsoon several areas in Yakutpura face inundation issues and just in flood-like situation on the banks of rivers, each year residents of some colonies flee after nalas overflow, dreading inundation.

The nalas, which have become narrower owing to haphazard construction activity, now face the real problem even as huge quantities of wastage can be seen floating on the surface. Several areas in Yakutpura like Talabkatta RuB and its surroundings, Hafiz Nagar in Rein Bazar, Yakutpura Railway Station, Sadat Nagar and Ganga Nagar are the areas where there will be a maximum water logging after each heavy spell of rain during monsoon. Around 2 to 3 feet of water completely inundates these areas, particularly Ganga Nagar to Maula ka Chilla is seen inundated under 4 to 6 feet of water each year.

Mohammed Hameed, a resident of Sadat Nagar, said that in some of the lanes in his colony, residents leave their houses, as the rainwater inundates for at least 2 days. The water will be logged for 3 to 4 feet and this will be difficult for us to live in such situation, he said. Abdul Rahman, a social activist, said for the last several years, works have been taken up, but only temporary solutions were found by the civic authorities. Even in this season, the residents have to suffer the same.

Rahman also said that the pipelines in these areas are about 30 years old and that no new pipes had been replaced with the existing ones. "I fear that the condition of this area would be worse than the previous years. The GHMC is coming up with the temporary solution, but the civic body should fix the problem permanently. The solution is to upgrade the nala into box drain and to fix the new pipelines in the area", he said.

Pin hopes on new MLA

After enduring several monsoons for the past few years, the residents of Yakutpura have now placed their trust in MLA Ahmed Pasha Quadri, who won for the first time from Yakutpura in recent Assembly elections, after serving for Charminar division for the last three terms. Known as the '108 service' of the AIMIM for his verve to reach out to masses across his constituency, the MLA had already toured several colonies that are located close to big nalas, after taking charge.

The residents in these areas are hoping that the newly-elected MLA from the Yakutpura Constituency would resolve the issue by undertaking permanent works. Last year, Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri visited the area after the heavy downpour and promised of fixing the issue by finding a permanent solution, and now he is the MLA. "In the unseasonal rains during summer, he visited the areas which suffered and promised of resolving the issue as early as possible. And now that monsoon season has arrived, we hope that he would take up the matter," said Shaik Ahmed, a resident of Ganga Nagar.

Mohammed Amjed, an enraged resident, said, "The local MLA and corporator distribute food to the affected families, but they do not fix the problem permanently. We are not beggars who crave for food, but we demand that authorities resolve the problem by finding a permanent solution, as we cannot live in such a condition during monsoon season," he added. Amjed also said that residents themselves clean the water on roads most of the time.