GHMC Commissioner Dr B. Janardhan Reddy has said while existing drains under the GHMC limits can withstand rains up to two centimeters, the downpour in the early hours was around 9 cm. Despite downpour, GHMC emergency teams swung into action and cleared 267 water stagnation points by this afternoon.
The Commissioner, GHMC said that as per the monsoon action plan 2017, 300 number of works have been sanctioned an amount of Rs. 27.84 crores and the works are in progress. 48 teams 24×7 with vehicles + labor + tools for pot hole filling have been deployed. Around 121 monsoon teams with pumps and tree cutters have also been deployed 24×7 manual teams consisting of two labour teams have been deployed at 51 locations 24×7 apart from this 19 central emergency teams have also been deployed.
The Commissioner made surprise inspections in old city areas. He inspected the Begum Bazaar nala and walked along covering Osmangunj, Gowliguda, CBS bus stand and Musi outlet. The Commissioner instructed the Town Planning officials to remove the encroachments/structures which were creating hindrance to the desilting works and also directed the maintenance wing to clear the debris at the Musi outlet. He also asked the Chief Engineer (Projects) to conduct detailed survey from Begum Bazar police station to CBS bus stand and suggest short-term, medium-term and long-term measures to avoid water stagnation and inundation.
The Commissioner also appealed to the citizens not to throw garbage, plastic bottles and waste into the nala as such materials will cause stagnation of flood water. He also appealed to shop keepers and residents to inform about plastic and mud which are obstructing the catch pits so that the water can be drained off. (NSS)