GHMC proposes storm water plan to link Hyderabad’s tech zones, lakes and colonies

Hyderabad: As Hyderabad continues to face major flooding problems whenever there is moderate to heavy rainfall, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come up with a new proposal: a comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan that spans the entire Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR).

What is Telangana Core Urban Region?

The GHMC, in a proposal to the State government, stressed the importance of going beyond the city limits to study and manage the region’s stormwater systems.

The Telangana Core Urban Region is a dense and dynamic urban agglomeration that includes Hyderabad, major IT hubs, commercial zones and residential corridors. It is also home to interlinked natural water systems, such as the Musi River and lakes like Hussain Sagar and Osman Sagar, that play a critical role in the city’s drainage and ecology.

“In order to understand and manage urban flooding effectively, we need a region-wide hydrological study. The stormwater systems don’t stop at municipal boundaries,” the GHMC noted in its proposal.

Focus on lakes, rivers and interconnected catchments

The Master Plan will map the natural and man-made storm water drainage systems, including the nalas and lake catchments, many of which stretch into districts surrounding Hyderabad. These include major water bodies and their networks that feed into the Musi River and other critical drainage channels.

By analysing this complex, interconnected system, the plan aims to:

• Prevent urban flooding during peak monsoon periods

• Identify pollution sources in stormwater and suggest mitigation measures

• Ensure hydrologic and hydraulic modelling of the region for informed planning

Sustainable and cost-effective urban planning

The GHMC emphasised that the Storm Water Master Plan will not only help address flooding but also support cost-effective infrastructure planning.

By identifying high-risk flood zones and prioritising them for intervention, the plan could reduce long-term expenditure and avoid redundant investments.

Additionally, the plan includes the integration of green infrastructure, rain gardens, bioswales and other nature-based solutions that manage runoff while improving urban resilience.

Government approval and next steps

The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MA&UD) has issued official orders (GO 391) granting GHMC permission to invite proposals from consultants and firms.

These consultants will be responsible for preparing the Master Plan in a geo-referenced digital format with detailed hydrologic and hydraulic modelling of the existing storm water drainage network.

The commissioner, GHMC, has been instructed to obtain approvals from the competent authority before issuing tenders.

A long-term investment in Hyderabad’s urban future

As Hyderabad continues to grow and urbanise rapidly, the risks of waterlogging and flash floods have become annual disruptions. The proposed Master Plan is expected to serve as a long-term, data-driven foundation for improving water management and safeguarding the region’s infrastructure, economy, and residents.