Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav today said that the state government would examine the problem of nala encroachment and waterlogging in the GHMC area and come up with a final solution for the same soon, and added that all the illegal structures that contributed to waterlogging would be removed as part of this effort.
Yadav, along with Home Minister Mohammad Mahamood Ali, held a review meeting with Hyderabad Mayor G Vijayalakshmi and other concerned officials regarding the preparations that needed to be made for the upcoming rainy season. At the meeting, issues relating to nalas, encroachment, and desilting were discussed.
Later, Yadav stated that the government would come up with a permanent solution to the nala issue and the stagnation of water after a comprehensive study of the matter.
"The necessary machinery will be used to remove silt from the nalas to pave the way for the free flow of traffic on the roads of the city as the desilting will prevent the inundation of the roads. We organise desilting works along 1,360 km at a cost of Rs 45 crore every year. Now, a special committee has been set up to helm the permanent resolution of this problem. After the committee submits a report on the status of the nalas, a workshop discussing possible solutions will be held. IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao will hold a review meeting following this and take a call on what is to be done. The final decision in the matter will be made by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao," he said.
The minister also revealed that a study was currently being conducted to find the aforementioned "permanent solution" to the problems of poor drainage and waterlogging. He reiterated that all illegal structures on nalas and lakes would be removed to resolve the problem.
"Illegal structures erected on encroached plots on nalas and lakes will be removed. We will provide free double bedroom housing for those who lose their houses during the clearing of encroached areas," Yadav added.
He then instructed the GHMC officials and staff to be ready to "tackle" the monsoon and to ensure the safety of the area's residents.
The announcement comes days after a seven-year-old boy died after he
fell into a stormwater drain (nala) in New Bowenpally's Anand Nagar area.
Meanwhile, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board has already begun work to desilt nalas and to improve sewerage systems in order to prevent the overflow of sewage water during the monsoon.