Malkajgiri’s thoroughfares in bad shape

Despite tall claims by the municipal authorities that the city roads are being relaid, repaired and restructured in order to facilitate commuters to have effortless vehicular traffic, the fact remains to be the other way round, in many parts of the city.

A classic example of the official apathy lies in the pathetic condition of roads at East Anandbaghin Malakajgiriarea. They are in a bad shape over the past three months now. The roads in these areas have been dug up by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) officials for putting drainage pipes. However, they have not only failed to fill the trenches but also to put up boards in the area cautioning the people about the bad condition of the roads.

The roads were filled with mud and stones for the time being to allow smooth passage of traffic, but the recent rains washed away everything, thus making the situation even worse. A resident of East Anandbagh,Jagganatha, a fruit vendor said, “It becomes impossible to sit here during the afternoon hours and in the evening. There is lot of dust generated due to the traffic congestion. In the whole of Malkajgiri, this is the most polluted area.”

Devika, another resident of East Anandbaghand alsoflorist said, “The next day after a heavy rain is a nightmare here. The water clogging on the roads and breeding of mosquitoes in it gives scope for diseases like malaria and dengue to grow”.

The roads in Vasantapuri Colony at Malkajgiri seems to be in a perfect state of mess. The potholes and damaged black top make movements of vehicles next to ‘Impossible’ on these roads. Babu, a private sector employee and local resident said, “We are scared to send our children out. They are caged up at home and we do not take a chance as we know that they would hurt themselves if they go out.”

Balayya, a scrap store owner,said, “These roads have been in bad shape over the last one-and-a-half years now. Every time when the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) people come, we ask them about the bad condition of roads, but they keep saying that it would be fixed soon and the ‘soon’ never comes.”

Every day, thousands of vehicles pass through these roads, literally risking the commuters’ and pedestrians’ lives, but unfortunately neither the GHMC officials nor the other departments concerned seems to insensitive to the issue.

Hundreds of commuters have already sustained minor to grievous injuries due to accidents on these roads.