City’s open nalas are yet to close

Open nalas in several localities in the Old City have proved to be a death trap — as in the case of two-year-old Zaki Abbas who fell into the Moula ka chilla Yakutpura nala on February 4.

But civic authorities have learnt no lesson from that tragedy and have not bothered to provide any mesh or boundary wall to prevent another death or injury.

An open drain at Hafeez Baba Nagar block 2 has been lying uncovered for the past two months. In Bandlaguda, Uppuguda, Chandrayangutta and Yakutpura there are similar tragedies waiting to happen.

Abdul Aleem, who lives in Baba Nagar, said that the once hilly area was developed into residential colonies three decades ago.

“The main problem with the entire area is the drains that are flowing underground. The issue with these drains is that if a manhole or slab above the drain is broken, all the water flows onto the road.” De-silting was done by the GHMC to clear the mud and garbage in the nalas, “but the broken slabs weren’t repaired and now they pose a threat to the residents, students and kids who have no alternative routes,” said Mr Aleem.

Another resident, Amjadullah Khan, said, “We understand that the GHMC can’t lay a slab on every nala but they should at least fence it off.” He adds that the contractors are not doing their job properly and the civic body should take action immediately.

“Nalas that didn’t have a slab were fenced with mesh and iron poles a few years ago and this restricted people from throwing garbage into it. But now the mesh and iron poles were removed or stolen. It’s the responsibility of the authorities to prevent further deaths of children,” Mr Khan said. When contacted, the GHMC zonal commissioner, S Srinivas Reddy, said: “A sum of `29 lakh has been sanctioned to begin the work soon.”