Hyderabad: Residents of Shanthi Nagar in Hayathnagar are grappling with a host of civic problems, including sewage overflow, waterlogging, garbage accumulation and a large road cave-in that has exposed a drain, posing a serious safety risk to commuters.Residents said stagnant wastewater has spread across residential roads for the past six months following repeated sewage overflows, making it difficult for pedestrians and vehicles.“This is not just a drainage issue anymore. Wastewater is entering the road and remaining stagnant for days, making it difficult for residents to walk or take their vehicles out. During rains, the situation becomes even worse. We have raised repeated complaints to the GHMC and water board, but the issue is still as it is,” said Mohd Abid, a resident.The large portion of the road that has caved in has added to the danger. Residents said the temporary barricading may not be sufficient to prevent accidents, particularly at night.“Children and elderly people pass through this stretch every day. A person could easily miss the barricade and fall into the opening. We need the damaged portion repaired properly instead of temporary fencing,” said P Ganesh, another resident.Garbage and construction debris dumped along the roadside have further aggravated the situation. Residents said waste has accumulated at multiple points, blocking portions of the road and worsening the unhygienic conditions. They also fear that stagnant water and rotting garbage could lead to foul smells and an increase in mosquitoes and other pests.“Repeated civic problems have made everyday life difficult, with some having to take longer routes to avoid waterlogged stretches and others struggling to reach their homes during heavy rain. Even two-wheelers and autos get stuck sometimes,” said Sreedhar Suman, a commuter.Residents said the immediate priorities should be clearing the garbage, restoring the drainage system and repairing the collapsed road. They urged civic authorities to inspect the entire stretch instead of addressing individual problems in isolation.“Officials should inspect the entire stretch rather than addressing only one problem at a time,” said Abid.Residents have urged civic authorities to take immediate action to remove accumulated waste and construction debris, address the drainage overflow and permanently repair the damaged road to prevent accidents and further deterioration.Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Nagendra Kumar, CGM, Hayathnagar, told TOI that the affected stretch has an old sewer line that was laid by the GHMC and handed over to the department around four years ago. The line has been getting damaged frequently, with repairs on one side often followed by damage on another, he said.A proposal worth Rs 39 crore for the repair works will be sent to the government within a day, Kumar added.“The sinkholes were being caused by damage to the sewer pipe, with both its top and bottom portions deteriorating. The MD and other officials had inspected the stretch and a proposal had been prepared for relaying the sewer line from Shanthi Nagar to the Government Degree College at an estimated cost of Rs 39 crore,” said Kumar.He added that repair work would continue until the new project is taken up. HMWSSB officials said the work could take another three to four months to complete. In the meantime, they have asked the GHMC, traffic police and other authorities to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles on the road.
