The slow pace of pipeline works on the stretch leading to Tadbund from Paradise in Secunderabad has road users and business owners fuming. The stretch along the airport boundary wall is now partly dug by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) to lay 800 mm diameter pipeline in order to divert Picket ‘nala’ from Hussainsagar lake.
Slow pace of works The project is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). To facilitate works, traffic police have restricted travel on the road to one-way from Paradise to Tadbund. Those running business establishments in the area claim trade has taken a beating and the slow pace of works is a matter of grave concern.
“The work started more than two weeks ago but has made very little progress. Restricting usage on the road is bound to affect businesses but it can be tolerated if officials speedily execute work. However, for the last 48 hours, there has been no activity at the site,” rues Hameed Dashthi, who runs the Pakwaan restaurant on the stretch.
For motorists, vehicle diversions through Hanuman Temple and Sikh Village means rough commutation through traffic-clogged roads. “Travelling to Tadbund and beyond is now very difficult. Roads that used to be empty most of the day before diversions, are always jam-packed,” said C. Mallikarjun, who commutes to Bowenpally for work everyday.
It make take 2 more months It is learnt from Trimulgherry traffic police that the contractor has secured three-month permission for work which ends this month. The police may accord another month’s extension. The HMWSSB, director operations, G. Rameshwar Rao, when contacted, informed that the completion of work would take at least two months.
“We have received permission from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to go ahead with works on Saturday. So we can work faster. The work is time consuming as pipelines will have to be laid at a depth of 10 meters,” he said, adding that once laid, the pipeline would serve the sewage needs of the Secunderabad Cantonment residents for close to 50 years.
