The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Sluggish pace of work on storm water drains blocks commuters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 12, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Sluggish pace of work on storm water drains blocks commuters

Staff Reporter

Pedestrians have to mount mounds of earth and navigate between granite slabs

NOWHERE TO WALK: Construction material lying scattered in front of shops in Ameerpet. — Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

HYDERABAD: Twenty-two storm water catch-pits dug up on the Amerpeet Sheesh Mahal Road to drain off excess rainwater that accumulates in this down hill area is posing a threat to both customers thronging shops as well as commuters.

With little space for pedestrians to walk, many can be seen climbing the mounds of earth and squeezing their way between granite slabs and pit covers. Shopkeepers of about 20 shops in front of which these drains are being constructed accept that it will provide relief from rainwater that stagnates in this area but complain about the slow pace of work.

"The work going on at snail's pace is not only affecting our business but has also become hazardous for those walking on the road," they say. "Two people including a 75-year-old lady fell in the pit right in front of my shop," says Baljeet Singh, who runs a toyshop in front of Sheesh Mahal Theatre.

Prakash, a stationery shop owner in the Ameerpet MCH market, claims that a small girl slipped and fell down in open pit in front of his shop. "We pulled her out and placed a temporary wooden plank to cover the hole," he says.

When contacted, the MCH Chief Engineer, Dhan Singh, said that most of the work was completed and the covering and fencing of holes was likely to be completed in a day or two.

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