HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath flags drain bottlenecks in Banjara Hills

HYDERABAD: HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath on Thursday flagged serious drain bottlenecks in Banjara Hills, blaming encroachments and narrowing of stormwater channels for the area's recurring floods.

During a field inspection, he walked the entire drain path, from Banjara Hills to Jalagam Vengal Rao Park, and expressed concern over missing buffer zones and illegal constructions choking the flow. The inspection followed complaints from residents of Jyothi Nest on Road Number 3, who reported repeated waterlogging during rains. Officials pointed out that while the box drain starts at four metres in width, it narrows to just two metres along Road Number 3 and 14. At some points, the drain was replaced by a one-metre-wide pipeline.

Ranganath also highlighted the unscientific design alterations and encroachments. "Obstructions to stormwater flow are contributing to urban flooding. The drain's width must be restored, and encroachments must be cleared without delay," he added. tnn