Monsoon stormwater drain works leave Rahmat Nagar residents struggling

Around 200 families in Rahmat Nagar, Yousufguda, say delayed stormwater drain construction by the GHMC has disrupted daily life and affected businesses during the monsoon. Officials attribute the delay to rain and labour shortages, promising completion by the first week of July.

Hyderabad: In what appears to be an utter disregard for norms on not taking up major infrastructure works during the monsoon, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken up construction of a stormwater drain at Rahmat Nagar in Yousufguda.

These works have affected around 200 families in Rahmat Nagar, who complain of the ongoing construction during the monsoon, causing disruption and hardships. They said deep earth excavation works for the stormwater drain were progressing at a snail’s pace, and though the works commenced in May and continued into June, there has not been much progress at the site.

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Locals are apprehensive of the tardy pace of work affecting them, as heavy rainfall during the season could cause severe inundation. A few residents told ‘Telangana Today’ that they are detouring for at least 15 to 20 minutes to reach their homes instead of just five minutes due to the stormwater drain works.

Shopkeepers said their business was affected after shops were shut for the past two months due to stormwater drain works. They said the GHMC dumped mud in front of their shops, resulting in them closing their business as consumers lost access to their shops.

GHMC officials said the works were aimed to be completed in a month, but it was being delayed due to rains. Moreover, the shortage of workforce also caused the work to be incomplete. By the first week of July, the stormwater drain work will be completed, said a GHMC official.

“Nearly a month has passed, but there has been no progress at the site. The severe stench here is unbearable. The GHMC must complete the work and ensure that locals do not face inconvenience”.

Nikhil, resident.