GHMC, SCB fight parapet wall war

Hyderabad: Even as heavy rains lashed the city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) officials exchanged heated arguments over the construction of a parapet wall near Bharani Complex.

SCB officials said that they requested the GHMC not to construct the wall as it affects the flow of water from the nearby nala. And as a result, water flows back and inundates low lying areas. A senior official of SCB said, “We have been requesting them not to go ahead with the construction of the parapet wall for the past six months.”

On the other hand, GHMC officials say that the parapet wall is essential to regulate the flow of water; else it would overflow onto the road.

Low lying areas inundated
Thanks to the heavy rains for the last 24 hours, several areas in the Secunderabad Cantonment were flooded. People residing in Viman Nagar, Paigah Colony, Balamrai area, Margadarshi Colony and Rasoolpura were badly affected as water seeped into the colonies. Water entered the houses at some places.

In the meanwhile, the SCB posted emergency teams at Patny Compound, Balamrai, Bowenpally circle office. Sridhar, a resident of Icrisat Colony says, “Every year during the rainy season, the Ramanakunta and Hashmathpet lake overflow leaving hundreds of families in tenterhooks. Despite repeated requests to the Board, there has been no response to take remedial measures.” Ramesh Babu, a resident of Soujanya Colony said, “Our colony is the worst affected and the SCB needs to do something.”