Civic works move at a snail's pace

Laad Bazaar: With less than a month for rainy season to begin, the incomplete works of storm water pipelines near Mahboob Chowk, Laad Bazaar, one of the busiest routes, remain a cause of concern. The business in the area has already taken a hit due to the slow progress of works. The delay has raised questions about the readiness of the civic authorities to brace the monsoon.

According to locals, the pipeline works were started in April, and now after more than a month, they are yet to be completed. They say that the on-going works are posing risks to the pedestrians and to the motorists due to lack of covers on the manholes. "The storm water pipeline, along with the BT road, was sanctioned last year in May; however, the works remain pending due to some issue.

Only after the nearby shop owners, along with shopping complex owners, gave a representation to the Hyderabad Mayor, GHMC Commissioner and Zonal Commissioner, the works were started in April. Now, even after more than a month the works still remain pending," said Syed Akber Ali, a garment shop owner.

Speaking to The Hans India, Syed Akber said that due to the pending works, about 15 manholes are kept open and works are going on hardly once a week. Many a complaints were given to the Assistant Engineer (AE) and other officials.

They regularly inspect the works, but remain the works incomplete. According to AE, the funds were sanctioned for the works, and the works also started, but the contractor is not performing his duty well.

"Due to incomplete works, we shop keepers, along with the residents, are suffering a lot. The commuters are also facing problems, as the road has shrunk. Almost half of the road is filled with debris and there is also no more space available for parking vehicles. Last week, an elderly man slipped and had a minor injury," said Akber.

Mohammed Wajid Ali, an owner of an antique shop, said that due to non- availability of parking space and pending works, the business has gone down. The road was dug up for 3 to 4 days and the debris was not cleared for a month. "Due to the same reason several shops were also shut last week, as open manhole and debris posed risk to the customers.

To complete a civic work like this, it hardly takes a fortnight, but unfortunately, the delay is excruciating. Why the government is neglecting the Old City," asks Wajid.

"As this is Ramzan season, there is a great opportunity for businesses. But due to the open manholes and pending works, no space is left for parking vehicles or passage to commuters. We shoppers and residents request the GHMC to complete the work as early as possible," he added.

By MM Farooqui