Yeh Humara Shehar: Chilakalgudaa peaceful abode

Chilakalguda is a residential suburb located in North Zone limits of GHMC. It is predominantly a middle-class area, rich in culture and traditions. The major landmarks are residential quarters for employees of South Central Railway (SCR), Mahatma Gandhi statue, CSI Wesley Church, Police Station, Jamia Masjid, Edigah, Katta Maisamma and Nalla Pochamma Temple, Hanuman Temple, Chilkalguda Park.

The shopping area in Chilkalguda is good for all needs. For entertainment, there are two theatres, Sridevi and Suresh. The major commercial stores are Naveen Kirana and General Store, Famous Pan Shop, 7 Hills Bakery, Durga Sweets and Shimla Hotel. Healthcare, banks and prominent schools are present in abundance as well.

The major localities are Kindi Basthi, Hamali Basthi, Dargah Galli and other small localities. A few members of the Pardhi community live here. The neighborhoods areas are Padmarao Nagar, Sitaphalmandi, Parsigutta and Mylargadda.

It is well connected by TSRTC buses to all parts of the city. The closest MMTS station is Sitaphalmandi. The Secunderabad Railway Station is half a kilometer away and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is 40 km away.

History
Hazi (90), peace and mythri committee, member said, “During the 1950s and earlier, the area was a thick forest with kuntas and lakes that had many fruit trees and paddy cultivation that surrounded it. There were big conventional wells.”

Parrots (Chilukalu in Telugue) came in large numbers to eat these fruits, in particular Guava. During the course of time, the area came to be called as Chilakalguda. There were very few private buses till 1960 and people used to travel on foot or by bullock cart. In the 1960s to 70s, buses were introduced from Secunderabad.

There was no curfew since 1955 and till date the area is in peace and people live in communal harmony.

Problems
According to residents, the old shopping complex behind the police station was demolished due to 'decrepit' structures as declared by the GHMC authorities. A new modern market for the essential needs and for the convenience of the residents was promised but, no development was taken till date. THe debris of the dilapidated building still exists on the spot.

When contacted, concerned officials of the GHMC said that they were “busy” preparing for the upcoming GHMC elections. A Muthyam Reddy, ACP Traffic, North Zone, said, “The traffic congestion is severe in peak hours at Gandhi Statue X-read and inside the vegetable market area.

There is a need to widen the existing main road. The GHMC needs to jump into action to remove encroachers from footpaths and ensure smooth and accident-free flow of traffic.”