Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Stormwater drains: GHMC to follow Bangkok model

IIT, Mumbai, to offer expert advice

HYDERABAD: Backed by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is toying with the idea of leveraging technical expertise of Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, to mimic a Bangkok model of stormwater drain (SWD) network in the State capital.

Member of the NDMA, Marri Shashidhar Reddy, who held a meeting with municipal officials on SWDs at GHMC office on Saturday, pointed out that there was a need to bring-in ‘best technology practises’ prevalent in other countries for a robust stormwater drain network in twin cities.

To measure the intensity of rain, the NDMA urged GHMC to purchase three Doppler radars and installing rainfall measuring units in the city for rainfall observation. Installing gates at Hussain Sagar (project already cleared) was also stressed to avoid flooding of low-lying areas abutting the lake. Officials said that Doppler Radars, used to predict the intensity of rainfall, would cost Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 crore.

“Between1988-2002, average annual rainfall in twin cities had increased to 35 mm, indicating the impact of global climatic changes. We have to use technology to be on safer side when things go awry. For that, IIT, Mumbai experts would give recommendations to improve existing drainage system,” Mr. Reddy said.

A team of two researchers led by Kapil Gupta from IIT, Mumbai, having extensive experience in SWD technology prevalent in various parts of the world including Bangkok, would come up with fresh ideas suitable for implementation locally.

The NDMA, along with GHMC, would take up a thorough discussion on impact of SWDs on general public with city MLAs and MPs. “We want to get suggestions from all possible quarters to make a comprehensive plan.

Under Urban Renewal Mission, we would get Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 crore for city development and we don’t want that funding to go waste because of faulty planning,” he added.

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