6,000 families in Secunderabad live in fear as lake retaining walls crack

SECUNDERABAD: Life has not bounced back to normal after the rains for several residents in Secunderabad. The broken retaining wall of nalas through which water from Ramannakunta Lake in Bowenpally and Hasmathpet Lake in Secunderabad have been gushing out are yet to be repaired.
The retaining walls were damaged after the recent floods. Around 6,000 families living near these lakes and their water channels fear inundation in case there is a downpour.
Sail Colony, Progressive Colony, Royal Encvalve, Laxmi Nagar and SBI Colony in Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SBC) will be the most affected in case of downpour as the retaining walls of nalas run along these residential colonies.
Board members rued that due to fund crunch, the retaining walls are not being repaired. “GHMC officials said that they can’t repair the nalas as they don’t fall in their jurisdiction and SCB officials informed us that there is a fund crunch and nala works can’t commence. Where should the residents go in case of heavy rain?” said K Pandu Yadav SCB board member (ward number 6).
A resident of Sail Colony said that the extent of damage will be more compared to the recent floods in case there is a dowmpour as the walls of the nalas are broken. “Recent floods wreaked havoc. Goods worth around 4 lakh have been damaged in my house. If the retaining walls collapse, the damage will be much more,” said David Skinner from Sail Colony. “I urge the authorities to repair the houses in our locality that have been damaged due to the floods,” he added. According to SCB officials measures to repair the damaged infrastructure will be taken up. “The damaged retaining walls will be built,” said SCB chief executive officer B Ajith Reddy. Uma Shanker, SCB ward engineer of ward number 6 said that proposals are being prepared to repair the damaged infrastructure. “We are aware about the damaged retaining walls of nalas as on date proposals are being drafted to take up repair works,” he said.