Telangana’s Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, KT Rama Rao, on Tuesday ordered the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to develop “nalas” (drains) to avoid a flood-like situation in Hyderabad.

The Minister took stock of the development and expansion works of the nalas which will be included within the limits of the GHMC.

To prevent flooding in the city, GHMC officials have drawn up a comprehensive program for nala development which has been reviewed by KTR, as the minister is commonly known.

He said there is a need to strengthen the centuries-old nala and sewage system, keeping in mind rapid urbanization, and the government is working towards this by offering a comprehensive nala development program.

He noted that Hyderabad has registered heavy to very heavy rains in recent times, and to avoid a flood-like situation in the city, the government is undertaking work to develop and extend the nalas.

The government wants to undertake this work in a well-planned manner to ensure that no citizen experiences any inconvenience in the future, KTR said. He added that the government will take care of the poor who are affected by these works.

He also said that the government is also considering the allocation of 2 BHK Dignity Homes for affected people based on their eligibility.

He said the government would also propose legislation, if necessary, for the development and expansion of the city’s nalas and lakes.

The GHMC zone commissioners provided the Minister with a detailed report on the work undertaken, including the clearing of obstacles in the nalas, the expansion of the nalas and the construction of retaining walls.

The minister asked officials to undertake all this work with Nala’s strategic development program. He asked officials to identify bottlenecks in the nalas and eliminate them on a war footing.

A meeting will be called soon with all deputies from the boundaries of the GHMC, he added.