Yeh Humara Shehar: Chaderghat

Chaderghat is one of the busiest areas of the city located on the banks of the Musi River. The major landmarks are Chaderghat Bridge, Causeway Bridge, the Police Station with a stone marking the 1908 High Flood Level, Victory Playground, Chaman, Niagara Hotel and other shopping malls, grocery shops, public and private sector banks, schools, colleges and hospitals. The once famous theatres, Kamal and Tirumala have now been turned into shopping complexes.

The major basthis are Chaderghat Darwaza, Kamalnagar, Rasoolpura, Padma Nagar, Laxmaiah huts and others. The neighbourhood areas are Malakpet, Amberpet and Osmanpura. Chaderghat is well-connected by the TSRTC buses to all parts of the city. It is half a km to the MGBS, 10 km to JBS, 12 km to Secunderabad Station and 30 km to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

The nearest MMTS is at Malakpet. The Metro Rail project works are in full swing, albeit posing major traffic issues.

History
Chaderghat was first declared as a Municipality in 1886. In 1933, it was merged with Hyderabad Municipality to form Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. The Oliphant bridge (now Chaderghat bridge) was built in 1831, during the time of the Nizams.

The name is derived from “Chader” meaning pure white clean cotton cloth used while dining in the houses. In those days, Musi water flew near the Ghats. It was pure and transparent like “Chader”, hence the name came about.

In those days, it was a rich water resource for paddy cultivation and other agriculture and allied activities. The Chaderghat Bridge that was ruined during floods was reconstructed in 1970s, followed by the construction of a Causeway Bridge in 1995 to bypass the traffic and to prevent the load on Chaderghat Bridge.

Problems
Locals and bridge users complains that the once beautiful Chaderghat Bridge is now in ruins. The railing is broken and cracks are appearing in many areas. The volume of traffic on the bridge has increased beyond imagination and is standing precariously crying for attention and repair.

In addition, about 11 arches of the Causeway Bridge are dumped with garbage and partial area is grabbed and encroached, which prevents free flow of rainwater during monsoon leading to overflow on the Bridge and flooding in nearby areas.

Mohd Ashfaq (80) co-convener of the Campaign for Housing and Tenure Rights (CHATRI) said, “Uptp 1,300 families were shifted in 1998 due to floods with a promise to provide housing to all. However, only 1,034 houses were allotted and the remaining families are homeless till date.”

He appealed to the government to look into the matter and honor the High Court order that allows providing housing to people.