Uneven catchpits across Hyderabad are creating hidden hazards for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, as rainwater conceals structures positioned two to three feet above or below surrounding road levels. The problem has been reported across the 2,053-sq-km Core Urban Region Economy area, covering the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporations.
Affected stretches include MCH Market Road in Ameerpet, Dharam Karam Road, Nallagandla Main Road, Dabeerpura, Narayanguda, Nalgonda X Road, Shaikpet and Filmnagar. During even short spells of rain, waterlogging can make the uneven catchpits difficult to identify, causing vehicles to strike them or lose balance.
Md. Mubeen, referring to a catchpit on Nalgonda X Road in front of a private hospital, said he had seen a motorist fall because of the structure. “This has been an issue for two months,” he said.
Another commuter, K. Ayansh, said he encountered a similar problem on Begumpet road while travelling towards Mayur Marg. He said he moved to the left to avoid a bus and hit an uneven catchpit that was concealed by waterlogging. “When I took a left on a bike, I could not see the catchpit as the road was waterlogged. Fortunately, I was able to control the vehicle and no untoward incident happened,” he said.
Enquiries with municipal engineers indicated that the risk has been worsened by gaps in coordination between agencies responsible for road restoration and catchpit maintenance. Road restoration contracts are handled by one agency, while cleaning and maintenance of catchpits are assigned to another. This division has resulted in differences of two to three feet between the finished road surface and catchpit levels at several locations.
Similar problems have also been observed in colonies and slum areas. Catchpits on main roads, however, present a greater risk because motorists may be unfamiliar with their locations, unlike regular users of internal roads who may know where uneven structures are situated.
Municipal officials said corrective work had been taken up at several locations. Measures include filling gaps between catchpits and road surfaces with bitumen or concrete, levelling the structures, painting them red and placing warning signs at work sites.
A GHMC official said the issue had not been left unattended, even when a catchpit belonged to the water board. “Even if the catchpit belongs to the water board, they are painting it with red colour and matching to road height. At places where works are underway, we are also placing signages,” the official said.
Officials maintained that levelling catchpits, marking hazardous structures and installing warning signs would continue at locations where differences between road and catchpit levels pose risks to motorists.
