Padma Rao stares at problems aplenty

Secunderabad: Although caretaker minister T Padma Rao Goud who emerged victorious scoring over his nearest People’s Front candidate Kasani Gnaneshwar with a majority of 45,470 after he made many promises like increasing pension amounts, taking up more jobs or in alternative offering dole, he hardly concentrated on honouring them. Adding to his woes, people in the constituency are facing many problems in areas like Sitaphalmandi, Boudhanagar and Tarnaka division, making them wonder how Goud would solve them. They include widening of nalas, which overflow even when there are showers.

Residents of these areas while speaking to The Hans India wanted him to focus his attention in striving to find solutions. Among the serious issues facing the people is the inability of the primary health centre (PHC) to perform surgeries of pregnant women because of staff shortage. Although it is a 50-bed PHC in reality there are only 30 beds. In this scenario it remains to be seen when the minister’s promise of increasing the bed strength is likely to be honoured. Another problem is the widening of road network, including the stretch from Lalapet flyover to Jam-e-Osmania station, pending for decades. Traffic problems in the constituency can be hopefully solved only if the roads are widened. A serious issue is the non-increase of pension of about 1,000 beedi workers’ families in Parsigutta, Warasiguda and Lalapet areas of Boudhanagar division, when those elsewhere in the State got the benefit.

The long-pending demand for Rythu Bazaar in Sitaphalmandi is yet to be met. However, local residents hope that it could materialise now with Goud getting re-elected. Although he succeeded in launching a junior/degree college in the constituency, required facilities there are yet to be created. This is proving to be a disincentive for students. If a permanent college building is constructed along with facilities the student strength is likely to increase. Residents of Chilkalguda are keenly waiting for the college building to be constructed in the MCH grounds with Rao’s intervention.

A major problem facing the constituency is occupation of the Mettuguda graveyard. As a result, there is no scope for performing the last rites of two bodies at a time. Local people are waiting for improved facilities in the graveyard. Yet another issue is the 40-year-old drainage set-up in Addagutta which needs to be modernised. Numerous problems await the immediate attention of Rao. It remains to be seen how many issues he can solve during his term. Residents are waiting with bated breath.