Hyderabad’s ambitious Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP) Phase-II, conceived in the wake of unprecedented rainfall in October 2020, remains in limbo due to a severe funding shortfall. The previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government had proposed the project to mitigate future flooding and enhance the city’s storm water drainage (SWD) system. However, the initiative has stalled, with the required financial support of ₹5,135.22 crore yet to materialise.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), responsible for the project, has been unable to secure financial tie-ups with institutions, leaving the project in a state of uncertainty for over a year. In response, GHMC has pivoted to the Hyderabad City Innovative and Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) programme, focusing on immediate SWD improvements to address the flooding risks.Under H-CITI, 35 critical projects have been identified across six zones, with an estimated cost of ₹596 crore. These projects aim to prevent and mitigate future flooding, minimising damage to vulnerable areas. Proposals have been submitted to the state government, seeking special financial assistance for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The state government has granted approval for these priority works, and GHMC is requesting a loan of ₹482.42 crore to expedite the implementation.
The SNDP Phase-II originally targeted 415 nala works, spanning 450 km within GHMC and peripheral Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. This comprehensive plan, costing ₹5,135.22 crore, was designed to address the deficiencies in the existing SWD system, which had failed during the heavy downpours of 2020. The floods had caused extensive damage, affecting over 40,000 families, primarily due to encroachments obstructing natural water flow and an inadequate drainage network.Within GHMC limits, the plan included 148 nalas covering 175.83 km at an estimated cost of ₹2,141.22 crore. The remaining 267 nalas, stretching 275.40 km and costing ₹2,993.93 crore, were located in the surrounding ULBs. The initiative underscored the urgent need for a robust SWD system to cope with Hyderabad’s rapid urban expansion.Despite the comprehensive strategy laid out by the previous BRS government, the current Congress administration has deprioritised SNDP Phase-II due to the lack of financial backing from institutions. Meanwhile, several works under SNDP Phase-I have been completed, with others in various stages of progress, totalling 58 projects at an estimated cost of ₹985.45 crore.The delay in SNDP Phase-II highlights the critical importance of securing reliable funding mechanisms for large-scale infrastructure projects. As Hyderabad continues to grow, the need for effective flood mitigation and drainage solutions becomes increasingly pressing. The GHMC’s efforts under the H-CITI programme represent a crucial stopgap measure, but the overarching goals of SNDP Phase-II remain essential for the city’s long-term resilience against extreme weather events.
