Hyderabad: Shalibanda bereft of basic facilities

Hyderabad: The residents of Shalibanda under Charminar constituency are forced to dwell under miserable conditions due to lack of basic amenities. They are facing problems such as poor sewage system, poor sanitation and bad roads. As a part of road widening works, few properties were demolished but the debris is not removed and road remains worst. Residents alleged that no municipal officer responds to their complaints and issues remain unresolved the area.

The residents said they are facing a plethora of problems like sloppy and uneven roads, garbage dumped in by-lanes not being lifted by the civic workers for days. Drain overflow, potholes and garbage on roads are causing a lot of hardship to both residents and commuters.

Fazl-ul-Rahman a resident said, "The condition of the roads has worsened, and we cannot even remember when these were recarpeted the last time."

Small colonies like Qazipura, Shakkargunj, Himmatpura, and Khilwath come under the Shalibanda area and each colony remain with plethora of civic issues.

Ateeq, a quinquagenarian pointed out that the area is one of the oldest areas in the city and has the century-old storm water drain system constructed by Nizam of Hyderabad and that still works. But with lack of maintenance by the municipality, it is being overflowed and water is stagnated in few lanes during rains." We are living in this area since decade but have not witnessed the issue. Unfortunately, since last two years there is overflow and water stagnation," he added. Venkatesh, another resident said it has become a daily nuisance to see garbage dumped over in an open space. Despite of several warnings people throw garbage. Several times we have asked to clear the garbage, but there is no action been taken. Foul smell is formed and is unbearable."

Mohammed Ahmed, a resident of Himmatpura said that for last 5 years the stretch from Himmatpura to Fateh Darwaza is dealing with bad road. As a part of road widening works, the demolition of properties were started in 2017 and the works are still on and is not completed. Due to non-completion of works the debris left on roads and the condition of roads has turned bad to worsen," he added. "There is no proper sanitation in narrow roads. Hardly once in a week the by-lanes of the colony are swept by the sanitation workers. No road has been laid since decades. They need to look on such roads and solve the problem," added Ahmed.

The electricity department has not shifted the electric poles and are standing in the middle of the roads are creating inconvenience to the commuters.

Other issues like no streetlights, no proper sanitation, no lifting of garbage, narrow road in the colony are been ignored and the officials turned blind eyes. "There is no proper sanitation in the narrow roads, hardly once in a week the by-lanes of the colony were sweep by the sanitation workers. No road has been laid since decades. They need to look on such roads and solve the problem," added Ahmed.