The residents of Adityanagar Colony in Tolichowki are facing a severe public health crisis due to stagnant drain water flooding their streets. With sewage water flowing from elevated areas like Jubilee Hills and Brindavan Colony, the situation has worsened over the past month. This has resulted in the spread of dengue and other seasonal diseases, exacerbated by the incomplete implementation of the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP). The SNDP, intended to improve Hyderabad’s sewage and stormwater drainage systems, was halted midway, leaving the low-lying areas vulnerable to floodwaters.
Local residents, represented by the Aditya Welfare Association, have filed multiple complaints with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB). However, only temporary solutions like de-silting and garbage clearing have been provided, offering little relief. The colony’s park, once a safe space for children to play, is now submerged in dirty, stagnant water. Parents are particularly alarmed, fearing the impact of these unsanitary conditions on their children’s health. Several cases of dengue have already been reported in the colony, highlighting the urgency of completing the SNDP.
Health experts are increasingly worried about the spread of waterborne diseases, as stagnant water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents are demanding that the SNDP be resumed and completed, which includes a stronger stormwater drainage network to alleviate flooding and prevent further outbreaks of disease. The SNDP, an essential project costing ₹985 crore, encompasses 60 major works aimed at strengthening Hyderabad’s drainage infrastructure, but its delays have led to severe consequences for the city’s low-lying regions.
From a sustainability perspective, this drainage crisis calls into question Hyderabad’s urban planning efforts. While the city has prioritised infrastructural development, the discontinuation of essential projects like the SNDP reflects a lack of long-term strategy. Sustainable urban drainage systems are crucial not only for mitigating health risks but also for ensuring the overall environmental resilience of cities like Hyderabad. Addressing these challenges with a comprehensive approach will align civic priorities with the needs of the city’s expanding population and deteriorating urban environment.
