Hyderabad: HMWSSB fines hotel in Malakpet Rs 10K for causing sewer overflow

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has slapped a Rs 10,000 fine on a hotel near Nalgonda Cross Roads in Malakpet.

The hotel was penalized for causing a sewer overflow that disrupted traffic and created unhygienic conditions in the area.

HMWSSB Managing Director Ashok Reddy, who inspected the site, expressed strong displeasure over the hotel management’s negligence in directly dumping food waste into the main sewer line.

The MD instructed officials to impose the fine immediately and warned that if the hotel fails to construct a silt chamber within 10 days, the establishment would be sealed in coordination with GHMC officials.

Decades-old sewer line blamed for recurring issue

The sewer overflow in the busy Malakpet area, especially near Akbar Plaza, has been causing major inconvenience to commuters. Upon inspection, officials identified that an old, dilapidated sewer line constructed nearly two decades ago had collapsed, with no proper outlet to drain stormwater, leading to frequent overflow during rains.

Ashok Reddy noted that the lack of separation between the stormwater drains (maintained by GHMC) and the sewer lines was a major contributor to the issue.

New sewer line planned to resolve issue

To tackle the problem, the Water Board plans to lay a new dedicated sewer line from Nalgonda Crossroads to the Malakpet RUB. The MD directed officials to integrate all nearby buildings' sewer connections properly and avoid makeshift outlets.

Additionally, he ordered desilting of all manholes and sewer lines in the vicinity to prevent further overflow. A joint survey by GHMC and HMWSSB officials will be conducted to identify all points where stormwater drains and sewer lines intersect, with a plan to build separate lines in such areas to avoid future complications.

Coordination between departments essential

Ashok Reddy emphasized the need for coordination between GHMC and the Water Board to implement a permanent solution. He added that only through joint efforts could long-standing issues like these be resolved efficiently.

The inspection was attended by Operations Director Amarender Reddy, CGM Nagender, GM, and other senior officials from the Water Board and GHMC.