Hyderabad: Anjaiah Nagar residents raise a stink over sewage overflowing

Hyderabad: An acute drainage crisis has hit Anjaiah Nagar in Gachibowli under Serilingampally zone after heavy rainfall. Blocked drains and manholes have caused sewage to overflow onto roads and even into some homes, as they have not been desilted for several months. The dirty water is also flowing into the graveyard, flooding the resting place area, and damaging the graves. The situation has affected several households in the area, with sewage pooling in front of their homes and on roads.

Residents are rightdully distressed and concerned about the health hazards posed by the sewage overflow. “The entire neighborhood is stinking due to the stench of the overflowing sewage. It is also posing a major health hazard,” said Bhaskar, a resident of Anjaiah Nagar. He added that the dirt water had severely affected the entire area and its inner lanes, and had even damaged the graves, which hurt the sentiments of the deceased.

Social activist Mohammed Ahmed has taken to social media to highlight the problem, tagging GHMC, Minister K T Rama Rao and Mayor Vijayalakshmi. In his video, Ahmed appealed to the GHMC to solve the issue as soon as possible, pointing out that the resting place was not safe in the city. He said that the dirt water had entered the graveyard and flooded the burial ground, washing away graves and pooling up to ankle-deep.

Residents have lodged several complaints with the civic body and other officials, but their grievances have gone unheard. They have appealed for immediate action to desilt the manholes and solve the overflowing issue. Wakf Board must also step in to save the graveyard, as the dirt water damages the graves and black water pooling in burial space. The problem reportedly began three months ago but has worsened after the rains. Silt has solidified over months and blocked the drains, causing sewer to flow back, said Ahmed.

The residents allege that GHMC workers come and fix the problem temporarily by cleaning the drains, but the drainage lines are very old and need replacement. They are calling for powerful pumps to remove the garbage and silt in the drains so that sewage can make its way into the major drain line.

The roads are severely affected due to the drainage water, causing inconvenience to residents, commuters, and shop owners, with drain water and waste releasing from manholes. It is crucial that the authorities take swift action to address this critical issue.