Hyderabad: How small error by road engineering team cost traveler Rs 40 lakh on ORR

Hyderabad: One small error by the engineering team left a Hyderabad auditor in a life-threatening situation and cost him Rs 40 lakh on the ORR Service Road.

Thanks to the engineering team which forgot to drill drain holes in the small parapet wall at Kokapet. It leads to waterlogging and as a result, vehicles get stuck.

A recent bout of heavy rain in Hyderabad caused waterlogging on the ORR service road near Kokapet.

A resident took to Twitter urging IT Minister KT Rama Rao to address the issue.

On Thursday night, Uday Teja M, a resident of Madhapur got stuck with a pregnant wife in the middle of the road, waiting for towing services and an alternative vehicle.

He shared harrowing experiences on Twitter and questioned the effectiveness of the Strategic Nala Development Program (SNDP), which was launched by the Telangana government in 2016 to improve the drainage system in the city.

"12 BMWs and 8 Mercs got waterlogged on one rainy night costing the citizens of Hyd crores of rupees. Is this what #SNDP is about? Constructing Nalas is a great thing but placing 1 ft high wall and not letting the water go into Nala is a masterpiece. Is there a solution?” he questioned.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Uday Teja, an auditor in Hyderabad said, “We were going back to Madhapur and as the rain started pouring the roads got blocked due to rainwater. Luckily we were accompanied by a driver. Due to the unique parking mode of BMW, the car couldn't be pulled out immediately, and we were stuck in the rainwater. Most of the time these vehicles don’t unlock,” he said.

“My friend stayed ten mins away, so I called him for immediate help. I took my wife and crossed the water-filled road and had to drop her at my friend's place. I and my driver had to wait until morning for towing the vehicle.”

The estimated damage to Uday's vehicle amount to Rs 40 lakh. The engines need replacement. Additionally, it’ll take another two months for the service center to deliver the car.

Uday now faces the challenges of relying on alternative transportation options while his car undergoes repairs that will likely take months to complete.

He said, “I’ll have to take my wife in a cab to the hospital and bring my newborn in a cab now.”

Uday stressed the fact that he was lucky to have had a friend who was staying close by and came for rescue. “What about others who were stuck there? What if women were alone?” he asked.

“The water logging was caused by a small error by the engineering team who built the road. The team forgot to put drain holes in the small parapet wall, which prevented the rainwater from flowing down the Nala.” he added

He demanded the authorities take action against the engineering team responsible for the oversight. He has also asked for compensation for the damage to his car.

The authorities have yet to respond to Teja's demands.