Pothole-ridden and waterlogged roads taking a toll on residents of Hyderabad’s Kapra

The unpreparedness of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to tackle the monsoons was on display at Netaji Nagar in Kapra, Secundarabad, as large crater-sized potholes on the roads have become a nightmare for motorists. 

The severely battered roads and the subsequent waterlogging have been causing traffic jams and health problems for the commuters.  

Netaji Nagar road, also called as High-Tension Road is a crucial connecting road used by motorists who travel to Yapral, Neredmet, Sainikipuri, AS Rao Nagar and other adjoining areas.   

Residents and motorists, complaining that the roads have remained the same for several years, have accused officials of ignoring their plight. 

Praveen Kumar, a resident of Yapral, said, “The rains just made the roads even worse. This is a regular affair during monsoon.” 

“Travelling in the evening is even more difficult as there is a high risk of motorists falling down because of these large potholes. My two-wheeler’s performance has worsened because of these horrible roads,” he lamented. 

The civic authorities, as a temporary measure, used debris to fill up the potholes. 

“They have been doing this (filling debris in potholes) for many years. Why don’t they just permanently fix the roads?” asked another motorist, BV Ramana. 

“Rains have completely damaged the road. It has been in the same condition. If they (authorities) had cared about motorists, they would have repaired them before the monsoon. Where is the monsoon action plan?” Ramana rued. 

Alleging discrimination, he said that the road was located in Banjara or Jubilee Hills, the authorities would have taken swift action. 

Apart from the pothole-ridden roads, Telangana Transco’s ongoing work of laying underground cables near Sainikpuri petrol pump has added to the woes of the motorists. 

When TNM notified the Deputy Commissioner of LB Nagar zone, N Yadagiri, and sent the photos of the poor roads, he said that he will direct the authorities from the Town Planning Wing to immediately fix the roads. 

Meanwhile, the GHMC on Wednesday said that officials have taken up road restoration works at a 'war-footing basis' and has sanctioned Rs 916.78 lakhs towards it.  

The GHMC said that the roads in Uppal, Santoshnagar, Falaknuma, Jubilee Hills, Yousufguda, Qutbullapur, Secunderabad and Begumpet circles will be restored by October 31. 

In a bid to repair the city roads swiftly, city mayor Bonthu Rammohan announced that a temporary BT hot-mix plant will be set up at Yapral, Fathullaguda and Khaitlapur.