Hyderabad: Serious issues galore at Shaikpet Division

Shaikpet, ward no 94, is a major division under Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency. It has become the most preferred neighbourhoods with the mushrooming of several new colonies, high rise residential complexes and its easy access to Gachibowli and the IT corridor.

The development of new colonies has resulted in the number of voters increasing to 63230 from 49649 in the last 2016 GHMC elections. However, as a majority of population consists of upper-class urbane inhabitants, a lesser number of votes are polled in the division. Last time, the number of voters who availed their franchise were only 21,757.

Considered to be of mixed population, around 60 percent are of Muslim community. Amidst posh localities, the division also has several slums scattered between Jubilee Hills and Shiakpet area. The division comprises several colonies like OU Colony, IAS Colony, Deluxe Colony, Janaki Nagar Colony, Brindavan Colony, Paramount Colony, Aziz Bagh, Arvind colony, Al-Hamra, Gulshan, Mini Gulshan colony, Fatima Colony, Harijan Basti, Vinobha Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, MG Nagar, Vinayak Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Vijaya Nagar, Falcon colony, Veterinary Colony and some of them are sandwiched between Old Mumbai Highway and 7-Tombs Road.

Face-off between MIM and BJP

In this unreserved division, during 2016 municipal polls, Mohammed Rasheed Farazuddin of AIMIM won the division with 9,330 votes against the close contender from TRS, Cherka Mahesh who got 8,672 votes. However, this time there will be a face-off once again between the duo, but Mahesh is contesting on a BJP ticket. From TRS, M Satya Narayana Yadav is contesting, while Congress fielded Syed Nizamuddin.

There is a mixed opinion from the locals over the incumbent and his services in the last five years. Balkapur Nala (once a clean stormwater drain) remains one of the major sources of trouble for the locals.

"The authorities should ensure that the nala was not choked. We have represented the matter several times but of no avail. Even though huge amounts of taxpayer's money are spent, it remains a major concern. Throughout the year the nala is a primary source for mosquito breeding and unhygienic conditions," said Syed Mujeeb, a social activist.

D Satyanarayana, leader of Harijan Basti said that besides mosquito menace there were numerous unaddressed civic issues related to the waterworks department like sewerage and irregular water supply. "The present corporator never visits us and we have to ensure works were executed somehow," he said.

While on other hand, developed localities like OU Colony and its president, N Ravi Kumar does not have major problems to discuss about and felt that they were satisfied with the work of the incumbent. "There are things to be developed in the colony but owing to budget constraints it is limited. But we are satisfied with overall performance, as MIM remains the friend of TRS and the corporator was trying to do his best," felt Ravi Kumar.

Amongst the pending projects remain the ongoing flyover works at Shaikpet which were delayed by months and the unfulfilled promise of mini-stadium at Brindavan Colony. Except for a couple of colonies most of the new colonies do not have parks or community halls.