No charm, only ‘minars’

Constituency: Charminar

Voters profile

The constituency covers four divisions and has a total 1.66 lakh voters thatincludes Moghalpura with 35,667 voters, Shalibanda with 44,666 voters, Ghansi Bazar with 52,216 voters and Purana pul with 34,413 voters

The hygiene related issues in the Charminar constituency would play the major role in the upcoming Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. Majority of the locals voiced opinions on electing representatives who are capable of solving their sanitation related issues.

When HANS contacted the local ex-Corporators, they mutually said that they have done “many development activities” during their course time. In addition, they said that their proposed projects were halted due to lack of financial support from the GHMC.

Garbage, the major issue

The Constituency has been found facing problems due to irregularity in lifting of garbage. Most of the colonies are found with filled garbage bins and a large pile of garbage on roads. A local shop owner from Shalibanda, Ahmed, said that they hardly see the sanitation workers clearing the garbage. “Sanitation workers appear twice in a week here,” he informed.

In addition, complaints over mosquito menace, stinking of roads, open urination and increase in diseases has been found in large number. However, the local sanitation staff said that they are regularly clearing the area but, the garbage is getting filled every day and that people litter a lot.

Water pipelines on poles

The scene of water pipelines hanging on poles reveals the poor amenities provided by the civic authorities. The locals complained that they are facing acute water shortage from many years. A civic worker and resident, Narender said that they have to keep requesting the public representatives and civic authorities to provide water connections but, nothing positive have ever been initiated.

“There are nearly 800 households in this area but, only 200 have a pipe connection. The remaining 600 household are receiving water through the plastic water pipes hanging over the poles,” he said.

Unhygienic eateries

The many roadside eateries in the constituency have been found to be running in a poor condition with no municipal inspection. However, no official complaint has been lodged with the GHMC local offices on such eateries but, the traffic police have been found initiating action on such cases.

A traffic constable from Moghalpura, on condition of anonymity, said that with the lack of municipal officials in the Old City many of the eateries are running without any licence and are in an unhygienic condition. He said that the traffic police are doing the municipal work and taking action against such ill-maintained eateries.

“Locals, instead of informing the municipal officials ask the traffic police to remove these eateries,” he informed. The ex-Corporator from Moghalpura said that since they have not received any complaints on such issues, there need not be any action taken.

Streetlights 24x7

Locals from Shalibanda and Purana pul said that the streetlights in their area glow round-the-clock with no concern by the GHMC authorities. A local from SV Nagar in Purna pul, Rajeev said that most of the streetlights are in poor condition and the remaining few glows all the time. “There is a lot of wastage of electricity with glowing of these streetlights during the day,” he said.

The locals informed that this situation is persistent from four years. The GHMC has provided the power switches in public places where the lights can be used as per the local’s requirement but, officials take no concern to switch the power off during the day. The local ex-Corporator said that since there is no public representative, the officials have kept a deaf ear on the public issues.

Child labour, a common sight

Child labour has become a common sight all over the constituency with minors working in automobile garages, hotels, bangle shops and rag picking. An automobile garage owner from Shalibanda, Kaleem said that with the lack of educational facilities and support from the government many of the children have been forced to work. “Although, some children were rescued, the situation becomes the same after a while,” he said.

He said with the lack of rehabilitation, the “rescued” children are returning to earn some money. The local ex-Corporators said that since it does not come into their jurisdiction they have not addressed the issue.

Miscellaneous issues

Apart from the major issues the constituency is facing routine problems of poor roads, lack of footpaths and frequent sewage overflowing. The complaints on poor infrastructure of the government primary schools and hospitals in Purana pul, Shalibanda and other areas have also been noticed.