Sewage leak floods ENT Hospital in Hyderabad, sparks health risk

HYDERABAD: An overflowing sewer line has left the premises of the government ENT Hospital in Hyderabad waterlogged for more than two weeks, raising serious health concerns among doctors, staff and thousands of patients visiting the facility daily.

Nearly a foot of sewage water has collected on the campus, creating foul smell and unhygienic conditions. The problem, hospital staff said, stems from a damaged major sewer pipeline connecting the Bogulakunta–Koti area to the stormwater drain running through the hospital.

Doctors have warned that the stagnant water poses a risk of seasonal diseases such as viral fever, dengue and typhoid.

Doctors flag health risk

“The situation is getting worse by the day and is causing immense inconvenience to inpatients, outpatients, staff and visitors. We have sent several letters to the GHMC, HMWSSB, HYDRAA and the health department. Officials visited but the issue remains unresolved. We are being forced to deploy our own staff to pump out the water,” said Dr Anand Acharya, hospital superintendent.

The leakage, he said, stretches across 100–150 metres, from the patient canteen—where food is prepared—to the hospital’s rear gate.

Blame game among agencies

Hospital staff alleged that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Road Development Authority (HYDRAA) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) were blaming one another over repairs.

GHMC Goshamahal deputy commissioner Uma Prakash said the Telangana Medical Services & Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMSIDC) was responsible for repair works inside the hospital. “TGMSIDC has its own engineering wing. Today, we dug up the road outside and created a channel to stop water from entering the road,” she said.

TGMSIDC managing director G Phaneendra Reddy said he would visit the hospital along with the GHMC zonal commissioner to assess the situation and find a solution.