Foul smell haunts OU

Osmania University campus, which is a favourite space for thousands of walkers, is haunted by a foul smell which emanates from the ill maintained open drain.

Osmania University campus is a walkers’ paradise. Sprawling campus and lush greenery gives walkers a brief respite from the pollution. Not only from the surrounding areas like Tarnaka, Secunderabad, Malakpet, Vidyanagar, RTC X Roads but people come from far off areas like Dilshuknagar for morning walk. Political leaders like Bandaru Dattatreya, Vivekananda Reddy and others do take a stroll in this vast campus.

Off late this pleasant atmosphere of the campus is haunted by the foul smell emanating from the open drain. “The foul smell emanates from the flowing of drain. It possibly has originated from the students washrooms,” said Srinivas Kumar, a business man.

The stinking drainage flows right into the mouth of the route that leads to the campus campus. “We have to cover our nose and hold our breath to pass through the route.

There is no alternate route as this is the entrance to the open green lawn. We also park our vehicles at the temple. But, sometimes the smell is so pungent that we avoid going in and walk along the road side,” said Shoba Chandar, who was with her family for a morning walk.

The drainage line starts from the hostels and runs into the open woods of the campus. Even though many complaints and representations were given by the members of the OU Walkers Club, no action whatsoever was taken.

“We gave a written representation to the political leaders who come for their morning stroll and the University authorities to resolve the issue. But, all the voices fell on deaf ears,” said Dr Anjaneyulu, president, OU Walkers Club.

Walkers largely comprise of senior citizens who have health issues such BP, diabetes etc. They are hoping at least now the OU authorities would awake from their slumber and resolve the issue by channeling the drainage and keeping a proper watch on the campus.

“We are a club of over 500 members and organise health camps besides regularly conducting aerobic, yoga and other fitness classes. We feel fortunate to have such a huge campus with open space devoid of vehicular pollution. And hope the issue is taken care soon,” said Murali of OU Walkers Club.

The foul smell is also getting on the nerves of the thousands of girl students who visit the temple every Saturday. “There are three girls hostel in the campus occupied by over 3000 students. Most of these students are from Telangana region and visit the Yellamma temple as following their religious faith,” said noted educationalist Chukka Ramaiah.