Residents fume over stinking open nala

Begumpet: The open nala that flows adjacent to Pantaloons building at Begumpet in the city presents harmful ordeal. Residents living in various apartment complexes in the surrounding areas are forced to put up with the foul smell as the open nala that passes through raises a lot of stench.

The overpowering stink and deadly mosquitoes have become a part of life for the residents of Pantaloons Apartment and surrounding buildings in Begumpet. The huge open `nala' in the area which cuts across several residential complexes, has made life miserable for the locals.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, one of the residents of the locality said that if anybody visits this area even once, he would get a headache and develops a nauseating feeling. One can imagine the plight of the residents living there for years keeping their doors and windows shut all through the day.

Residents of these apartments wish that they stayed away from home for long hours to escape the `torture'. But at the end of the day they have no choice but to return home for yet another ordeal.

Repeated pleas by the residents of several Apartments to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC) authorities to make some alternative arrangement like either covering the `nala' with slabs or at least having huge pipelines.

"We cannot open the doors or windows for fresh air. With the problem of mosquitoes in the evening, we cannot even take a walk and we are forced to spend sleepless nights. At least during daytime, being at office saves me from the stink. But what about my family members who are at home throughout the day?" asks Vanaja, a resident of Begumpet.

A resident Santhosh Kumar, said that a representation was given to the GHMC about a year ago, but nothing happened. "Earlier, effluents used to be released in the nala, but now, it has come down. But still people keep throwing heaps of garbage and the stench that emanates from the dirty water has made our lives horrible. The best thing the authorities can do is to have those huge pipes through which the dirty water and waste material can pass, at least there will be no stink in the area," he added.

He said that a few weeks ago, the officials of the HMWSSB came to their apartment and promised them that the problem would be solved. A housewife, Bala, suggests that a slab can be laid on the nala and that can be used for parking purpose. "We are staying here for the last five years and each day is a hell for us," she added.