Garbage piles up near Yellamma temple

​Hyderabad: Heaps of uncleared garbage that has piled up close to the Yellamma temple at Balkampet has been posing a health hazard to residents and passersby in the area. It has been giving jitters to nearby residents who are worried that this garbage heap could spread malaria and other diseases as it has been raining steadily all through the past 10 days.

Even as locals made several representations to the GHMC Helpline, the civic authorities have failed to check the problem. The entire stretch on the road connecting Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar and Lingaiah Nagar is witness to the often repeated scene where pedestrians cannot walk through the area without covering their noses due to the strong stench that emanates from the heaps of garbage.

The garbage, which partly covers the road, prompts commuters to maintain distance thus exposing them to the risk of being knocked down by the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Interestingly, the pile-up is hardly 200 metres from the famous Yellamma temple.

Locals here have blamed the GHMC for not lifting the garbage for days. “It has become a regular problem in the area. I have registered my complaint with the civic staff, but there is no response till now,” complained Krishna Murthy, a local businessman. He said, “This garbage heap has the potential to be a major health hazard to residents in the area.”

During the peak hours, commuters and pedestrians can be seen passing through the road with great discomfort. Adding to the menace is the huge presence of stray dogs that rummage through the pile-up. “Pungent smell is emanating from the heap since Friday night. I feel neglected by the civic staff,” said P Surya, a daily commuter.