SNDP: 13 components from Phase-I remain non-starters within and outside Hyderabad
Monsoon might bring cheer for many people reeling under the soaring temperatures, but they also portend tough days for residents who are vexed with the issues of inundation of roads and colonies.
The works proposed and completed as part of the Strategic Nala Development Plan (SNDP) could bring partial relief to several areas, but a few localities where the works could not be taken up will continue to suffer.
While the civic authorities are progressing towards SNDP Phase-II by calling for tenders for various works, five works from the previous phase have not yet begun so far in the city. Officials cite various reasons ranging from lack of right of way and difficulties in utility shifting.
Works pertaining to stormwater drains for Mohini Cheruvu on the Osmania University campus have not taken off due to lack of right of way from the Police Lines area in Amberpet.
'The alignment of the stormwater drain is designed via Police Lines, and we are not getting required permissions reportedly due to issues pertaining to bifurcation and Schedule-B properties,' an official informed, refusing to divulge details on the issue.
A decision from the Police department is still pending with regard to the right of way, he said. The proposed drain from Saroornagar lake up to the culvert near Chaitanyapuri is one more stretch which has run into difficulties, reportedly due to objections from local residents.
Even though the nala is designed to pass along the road, residents of the P&T Colony are objecting to the works as they would block the road and put them to inconvenience.
The drain planned from Shah Hatim Lake up to Musi river has not yet begun due to lack of permission from the Archaeology department, the officer said.
With regard to two more nala widening works in South Zone, utility shifting has become a major issue due to extremely narrow lanes.
SNDP was conceptualised in 2021 after the destructive floods during October 2020, when at least 50 persons were washed away, as per conservative estimates. The project aimed to provide relief to several localities through widening of the stormwater drains, the chain link between lakes, and accelerating the evacuation of flood flows into Musi river.
A total 52 works/ components were proposed under SNDP Phase I, with an estimated expenditure of ₹858 crore. Responsibility for implementation of 33 works within the city was handed over to GHMC while the remaining were to be implemented by the respective municipalities.
However, GHMC eventually had to fund more works in several municipalities, which lacked the means to carry out the cost-intensive works. The official in charge informed that eight works have remained non-starters outside GHMC too.
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