Miyapur Drain Fatality: THRC Initiates Suo Motu Proceedings, Directs Civic & Disaster Bodies to Submit Report
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Hyderabad,30, July, 2026-The Telangana Human Rights Commission (THRC) has taken Suo motu cognizance of a news report published in the Namaste Telangana (Hyderabad Edition) dated 30 July 2026, under the caption “మృత్యు గోతిలో – వృద్ధుడిని మింగేసిన వరద నాలా” (“Flood Drain Swallows Elderly Man”), concerning the alleged disappearance of a 75-year-old man after he was swept away in an open storm-water drain near the Vaishalinagar Railway Bridge, Miyapur, Hyderabad.
According to the news report, Sri Balayya (75) was allegedly swept away after falling into an uncovered storm-water drain on 29 July 2026. The incident is stated to have occurred at a location where nala expansion and pipeline works were being executed.
It is alleged that the executing agency failed to provide essential safety measures at the work site, including barricades, protective fencing, warning signboards, and adequate illumination, thereby exposing members of the public to grave danger.
The report further highlights that similar incidents have allegedly occurred across different parts of Greater Hyderabad during the monsoon season, with open and unprotected storm-water drains posing recurring hazards to human life and public safety.
Taking note of the allegations, the Commission observed that, if found to be true, they raise serious issues concerning the right to life and personal safety guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
The reported facts also prima facie indicate an alleged failure on the part of the concerned civic authorities to discharge their statutory obligations to ensure public safety while undertaking public infrastructure works.
The matter further raises concerns regarding compliance with the duties cast upon local authorities under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955, the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the applicable safety protocols governing the execution of public works, particularly during the monsoon season.
The allegations also warrant examination from the standpoint of public authorities’ obligation to exercise reasonable care in preventing foreseeable harm arising from hazardous civic infrastructure.
Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices calling for detailed reports from:
- The Commissioner, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), Hyderabad; and
- The Commissioner, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Hyderabad.
The Commission has sought comprehensive reports on:
- the facts and circumstances leading to the alleged incident;
- the status of the ongoing search and rescue operations and the present status of the missing person;
- the nature of the nala expansion and pipeline works being undertaken and the agency entrusted with their execution;
- the safety measures implemented at the site, including barricading, protective fencing, warning signage, and illumination;
- the action initiated against officials and/or contractors, if any, found responsible for the alleged lapses; and
- the preventive measures proposed to ensure that similar incidents do not recur in the future.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on 25 August 2026 at 11:00 a.m., by which date the concerned authorities have been directed to submit their reports before the Commission.
