SCB Approves ₹246.92-Crore Sewerage Upgrade in Secunderabad Cantonment

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has approved a ₹246.92-crore project to revive and complete a non-functional trunk sewer network in the Secunderabad Cantonment. Approved during a recent board meeting, the project, titled Comprehensive Up-gradation of Underground Sewerage System (CUUSS), aims to bridge critical connectivity gaps in an infrastructure system originally laid in 2010.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) will execute the project. Funding for the work is structured under the Equal Value of Infrastructure (EVI) mechanism, which is linked to Defence land utilized for constructing elevated corridor projects passing through the cantonment. These corridors include the Paradise Junction-Shamirpet corridor on Rajiv Rahadari (SH-01) and the Paradise Junction-Dairy Farm Road corridor on NH-44.

According to the Detailed Project Report submitted by the HMWSSB, the work involves laying and replacing 119.393 km of sewer pipelines of varying diameters.

The original trunk sewer lines, which have a diameter of more than 300 mm, were laid within the Secunderabad Cantonment under a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project in 2010. However, because of gaps in connectivity between different stretches of the network, these lines have remained largely underutilised and non-functional for over 15 years.

The CUUSS project is designed to bridge these gaps by laying connecting pipelines to make the trunk network fully operational. Officials stated that the upgraded system will facilitate the diversion of sewage into the trunk lines, preventing untreated sewage from being discharged into open nalas.

The board observed that existing sewer infrastructure in localities such as Anna Nagar and Rasoolpura has deteriorated, suffering from inadequate gradients and insufficient carrying capacity. These shortcomings have caused recurring sewage overflows, resulting in public health concerns and inconvenience for local residents.

With the total available EVI funds estimated at ₹303.62 crore, the board decided to prioritise the sewerage project and execute it in a single phase. Other proposed strategic nala development projects, including works on the Picket Nala and Hasmathpet Nala, will be taken up later. The board resolved to fund those future works using the remaining EVI funds and other sources, such as MPLADS, MLA Local Area Development Funds, grants-in-aid, and Finance Commission grants.