HYDERABAD: The problem of sewage overflow that was inconveniencing residents of Journalists Colony, on Road Number 3, Banjara Hills for several weeks, was finally cleared after the grievance was aired on TOI’s citizen reporter app. Within a few days after it was published in these columns on May 14, officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) swung into action and resolved the issue. According to local residents, the issue of drainage overflow was persisting for several days before the officials took stock of the matter recently. “With the increase in number of Covid-19 cases, the dirty water overflowing from the manhole was becoming a huge concern for the residents. Thanks to GMHC for promptly addressing the leakage which was brought to their notice just a week back,” said HVN Raj, the citizen reporter who highlighted the issue. Ahead of the onset of monsoon, residents also fear that the issue of these overflowing manholes may worsen if regular maintenance is not done. “The sewage overflows usually happen because of the garbage that flows into the manholes along with the water and blocks the flow. I request the civic staff to ensure people don’t dump garbage in the open. Installing dustbins at street corners might really help in solving this issue,” said Anita Kumar, a local resident. Meanwhile, the GHMC mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi who has been inspecting the sanitation works across the city directed the GHMC officials to clear the garbage and urged citizens to not dump the garbage on roads.