As monsoon showers are inundating several arterial roads in Hyderabad, especially in its IT Corridor, a plan has now been submitted to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to tackle the major waterlogging points across the city, that the municipal body had identified last month.
A committee was appointed by the GHMC, which consisted of Professors Giridhar and Laxman Rao from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), who have now filed their report.
In a letter to Mohammad Ziauddin, Chief Engineer of GHMC, the committee said that they visited the waterlogging points across the city on July 3 and July 4, to first ascertain the problem.
"Presently, we are submitting solutions to manage waterlogging areas. However, it requires a detailed hydrological study, land use-land cover change analysis and a change in the natural drainage patterns among others," the report stated.
"Water stagnation due to flash floods in the city has to be addressed in an integrated manner. It includes sensitisation of the water flow patterns, connecting hierarchical storm water systems, water tanks, rain harvesting bins and geometric face lift of the infrastructure," the committee noted.
It also said that a permanent solution would also be suggested soon.
Recommendations
The committee looked into several waterlogging spots like Villa Marie College on Raj Bhavan road, the culvert near Begum Bazar police station, the Oliphant steel bridge in Secunderabad and other areas, and mainly suggested rain water harvesting and desilting in most places.
In many places, it was also noticed that solid waste was floating on the surface of the drain as locals frequently dumped garbage into the water. Recommending that the solid waste be cleaned on a daily basis, the committee also suggested that a side wall or a tall wired fence be put up at culverts.
The report also focused on two key areas in the city's IT Corridor; Shilparamam close to Hitec City and City Wines in Madhapur.
As far as the water stagnation at Shilparamam was concerned, the Cyberabad Traffic Police had noted that this was leading to massive traffic chaos, stating earlier that, "Approximately, half an hour of waterlogging at Shilparamam would lead to congestion at Kothaguda, Botanical gardens and Gachibowli for almost 2 to 3 hours."
The professors noted that the cross flow of water from the direction of the Tech Mahindra office was very high, as a result of which the main road from Google's office to Cyber Towers was getting flooded. To simplify that, the Cyber Towers junction and Tech Mahindra office are located higher, while the area outside Shilparamam is lower, leading to the water stagnation.
"Cross flow pipes of 0.25 meter to 0.5 meter diameter of either polyethylene or cement pipes should be cross sectionally placed. These can be connected to Thummidikunta lake at interconnecting point of storm water drain. Certain catchments pits should be facilitated at median level to collect any sediment, silt or mud material," the committee recommended.
It also recommended that the road should be elevated in the portions of cross flow by a height of 75 to 90 cm.
The committee also suggested that the Thummidikunta lake should be connected with three storm water drain channels so water could flow into it from the road, during monsoon showers.
Talking about City Wines in Madhapur, the committee recommended that the intense water flow at the spot during the rain could be diverted by correcting the elevation of the road, as it curves.
They also recommended that the storm water drain should be realigned and then connected to the drains leading to Durgam Cheruvu, to avoid the flooding.