A shocking road collapse in Hyderabad’s posh Banjara Hills has triggered public outrage and renewed fears over the city’s crumbling infrastructure. The incident happened on the morning of August 5, 2025, when a 10,000-litre water tanker suddenly sank into a giant crater that opened up near Maheshwari Towers and Virinchi Hospital on Road No. 1.
The tanker had just driven over an old concrete slab that covered a decades-old stormwater drain. After a night of heavy rain, the weakened structure simply gave way. The front of the tanker was swallowed whole by the road. Thankfully, no lives were lost. The driver and cleaner sustained only minor injuries, and emergency responders arrived quickly to cordon off the area.
For local residents, however, this was no freak accident. Families in nearby apartment complexes like Maheshwari Towers rely on such tankers for daily water supply, and many were left without water due to the incident. Frustration grew as people recalled that a similar road collapse had happened nearly ten years ago in the same spot—yet nothing was done.
GHMC officials admitted the slab was likely 30 to 40 years old and had deteriorated over time. Constant rainfall had seeped through, weakening the structure until it was unable to support the tanker’s weight. They’ve promised emergency repairs and full inspections, but residents say they’ve heard such promises before.
What happened in Banjara Hills is not an isolated case. Across Hyderabad, monsoon rains are revealing the cracks in the city’s planning. Old drainage lines, outdated stormwater systems, and unmonitored construction are leaving many neighborhoods vulnerable. Areas like Jubilee Hills, Kukatpally, and even parts of the old city see repeated flooding, road damage, and collapse risks every year.
With climate change making heavy rains more frequent, many are asking how long the city can afford to rely on such fragile, aging infrastructure. Quick patchwork won’t be enough this time.
Unless long-term planning and proper upgrades are made soon, Hyderabad may continue to crumble—one road at a time.
