25 May 2013
While officials swear de-silting is in progress and monsoon preparedness in full swing, opposition TDP termed it a cock and bull story. A report.
HYDERABAD: The GHMC engineers claim clearing of silt from city drains is on top gear. Two-thirds of the work of de-silting has been completed. The rest of work would be completed by May-end.
De-silting of nallahs, budgeted for `13 crore was taken up only in the recent months. But Suresh Kumar, Chief Engineer (Maintenance) claims the work is well under control. He said the GHMC will be keeping its men at the potential points of flooding during the heavy rainfall. Flash floods are mostly created by choked nallahs.
According to officials, one of the important problems faced by the City is water-logging of arterial roads and falling of trees on roads that block traffic. GHMC uses motor pumps for clearing off the water stagnated on roads and tree cutting machines are kept handy for removing big trees that fall on roadside.
“Everything goes in coordination with the traffic authorities, who have big towing vehicles. Vehicles with the GHMC are ready for use, if anything untoward happened, men and machinery would be ready,” explains, the CE.
The disaster management cell of GHMC coordinates with the various zones and circles. Central emergency squad comes into picture only when there is deficiency in dealing with the problem at zonal levels. “The disaster management is de-centralised and is under the control of circles and zones.
Most of the civic problems are solved by local officials and we make sure that everything goes smoothly. Vehicles are engaged from the central emergency office of Redhills only, when these areas need more backup”, says, Executive Engineer (Disaster Management), G Ramprakash.
Tall claims, says TDP
However, the TDP-floor leader Singireddy Srinivas Reddy is skeptical of the official claims of preparedness. According to him, until March 25 nothing substantial was done by the engineers, a fact which was acknowledged by the commissioner, MT Krishna Babu himself.
Study has revealed that the City nallahs have some 5 lakh cubic metres of silt deposits that should be cleared by beginning of monsoon. That accounts for approximately 5 lakh trips of tipper vehicle to Jawahar Nagar. “If we go by the official claims, where are the truck loads of silt being taken out?” he questions.
Building contractor-engineer nexus
Alleging that building debris is often labeled as silt, Singireddy pointed out the nexus of engineers and some construction contractors. The obnoxious practice of dumping debris in nallah continues. “This year would be no different. On record it will shown as the entire nallahs have been de-silted. But when the City faces heavy downpour there would be problems galore much like last year,” he warns. He is planning protest at the mayor’s cabin today before the standing committee meeting begins. “What is the use, if mayor shows interest now? He should have pressed for the de-silting in February or March,” he said.
Deposits
Study has revealed that the City nallahs have some 5 lakh cubic meters of silt deposits that should be cleared by beginning of monsoon. That accounts for approximately 5 lakh trips of tipper vehicle to Jawahar Nagar.
