Civic negligence alleged as sewage floods Neknampur road
HYDERABAD: A critical stretch of 100 Feet Road in the Neknampur Alijapur corridor has become a public health hazard, with sewage flooding the road for over 10 days. Despite repeated complaints from citizens and local representatives, authorities have allegedly failed to act, using private ownership of the drainage line as an excuse.
The nauseating overflow, seen in videos online, shows a stream of wastewater spreading across the road, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and posing slip-and-fall risks, especially for children and the elderly.
Shaik Arif Mohammed, General Secretary of The Citizens Council, has escalated the Neknampur Alijapur Road sewage overflow issue to multiple authorities, including GHMC, HMWSSB (Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board), and the office of the Cyberabad Police Commissioner. The response has been mired in bureaucratic buck-passing and alleged political influence.
The core of the inaction, according to complainants, is the claim by local HMWSSB and sanitation staff that the overflowing drainage line is “private,” belonging to a single building or complex. Authorities have reportedly used this classification to avoid maintenance responsibility.
Speaking to HyderabadMail, Mohammed said, “This is sanitation negligence in the name of a private line. They are not cleaning it and are letting the drainage flow onto the road. The concern for them arises only when it affects the public road, but even then, they are not acting.”
He challenged the logic, stating, “Even if we assume it’s a private line, can they allow the drainage water to flood a public road? How long will they play politics over a private line?”
GHMC sanitation negligence
“There is no coordination between HMWSSB and the Narsingi authorities. The political influence and staff refusing duty are creating a direct public health risk,” read part of the complaint posted online, which tagged the handles of GHMC, HMWSSB, and local representatives.
Fed up, residents are now asking what their civic taxes are really for. “Despite repeated complaints, the drainage is still overflowing this morning. Is public health being taken seriously at all? Immediate action needed,” Arif demanded.
