Monsoon havoc: Telangana needs Rs 1,157 crore to rebuild damaged roads
Engineers across 37 divisions identified 794 vulnerable points and reported damage to 1,039 km of road stretches.
By Newsmeter Network
Monsoon havoc: Telangana needs Rs 1,157 crore to rebuild damaged roads
Hyderabad: Telangana’s road infrastructure has suffered extensive damage due to the ongoing monsoon, forcing the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department to estimate an immediate requirement of Rs 53.76 crore for temporary repairs and a massive Rs 1,157.46 crore for permanent reconstruction.
31 roads were completely cut off; 356 culverts submerged
Engineers across 37 divisions identified 794 vulnerable points and reported damage to 1,039 km of road stretches. At least 31 roads were completely cut off, though connectivity was temporarily restored on 10 stretches.
Floods also submerged 356 culverts and causeways, prompting diversions at 289 locations. Of the 305 stretches blocked by floodwaters, traffic has been cleared in 236 spots. In all, 206 culverts, causeways, and minor bridges sustained structural damage.
Control centre set up
To manage the crisis, a round-the-clock Control Centre has been established at the R&B Head Office. Four officers per shift are monitoring the situation and coordinating with field engineers to ensure quick responses.
Major disruptions on NH-44 near Kamareddy
R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy reviewed the damage through a teleconference with senior officials and divisional engineers. Major disruptions were reported on NH-44 near Kamareddy and Nirmal, where floodwaters affected traffic flow.
The minister ordered immediate clearance measures and instructed engineers to install warning signboards at cut roads, washed-out culverts and bridges under flood.
Engineers told to stay vigilant
Calling the coming days ‘crucial,’ the Minister directed engineers to remain in the field and closely monitor vulnerable stretches. He stressed the need for coordination with the Police, Irrigation, Electricity, Panchayat Raj and Revenue departments to prevent loss of life.
He also asked officials to prepare permanent reconstruction proposals for damaged roads and bridges to ensure long-term resilience.
PRRD puts road repair bill at Rs 374 Cr
The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (PRRD) Department has estimated that repairing the extensive damage to roads and culverts caused by the recent monsoon will cost over Rs 374 crore.
Minister D. Anasuya, who reviewed the situation with officials through a teleconference on Friday, directed that road connectivity to villages be restored on a war-footing.
Widespread damage reported
According to officials, as many as 1,291 instances of damaged roads, culverts, and other rural infrastructure have been identified across the State. In several places, road networks were washed away, leaving villages cut off from essential services.
Preliminary cost estimates
The department’s preliminary report has pegged the cost of temporary repairs at Rs 22.71 crore, while permanent reconstruction works would require Rs 352 crore. In all, the damage is estimated at Rs 374.71 crore.
Connectivity disruption
The rains completely severed road access to 22 villages. Of these, connectivity has already been restored to 14 villages through temporary works. Efforts are underway to link the remaining villages at the earliest.
Minister’s Directives
Minister D. Anasuya instructed officials to accord top priority to restoring road connectivity. She also ordered immediate relocation of residents living in dilapidated houses and those working in old, unsafe structures to safer locations.
