Frequent collapse of Chaknawadi drain indicates perennial problem

Frequent collapse of Chaknawadi drain indicates perennial problem

The stormwater drain over which the slab caved in at the Chaknawadi area of Goshamahal on Tuesday night, was badly in need of repairs for quite some time.

A large concrete mixer truck fell into the nala, along with several other vehicles, when the slab gave in. Thankfully, there were no casualties as the incident happened late in the night when traffic was sparse.

Local residents complain that every time the nala collapses, the officials concerned take measures only for temporary fixes rather than renovating it.

“The drain was constructed 40-50 years ago. It is in a bad shape, and needs renovation, not repairs. This is the fourth or fifth time such an incident has happened. Won’t the authorities take action unless someone dies after falling into the nala?” questions Ram Singh, a local.

The first incident of slab cave-in occurred in December 2022, when the weekly market was in progress at Chaknawadi. A large number of push carts and parked vehicles fell into the nala, causing heavy financial losses to the vendors. Again in October 2024, the drain collapsed, but at a different location. The third incident occurred as recently as January 9, when the concrete mixer that arrived for nala work overturned and fell into the drain.

Anand Kumar Goud, local BRS leader, incidentally brought the issue to the notice of GHMC Commissioner K. Ilambarthi, hours before the latest cave-in.

“I could not speak for a minute to the Commissioner after waiting for three hours. He redirected me to the zonal commissioner. But previously when I contacted the Zonal Commissioner, he asked me to contact the Deputy Commissioner, who in turn, sent me to the Superintending Engineer. The issue remains where it is,” Mr. Goud complained.