Hyderabad: Ammuguda graveyard works in final phase

• To be inaugurated in the first week of March

• The total estimated cost of development is `93 Lakh

• Drainage Pipeline has also been laid costing around `25 Lakh

Kapra: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) graveyard works are under progress to make it a model one in the Kapra circle. The development work is expected to get completed by the first week of March. The graveyard is being developed by Kapra ward 1 corporator S Swarna Raj, with the help of Malkajgiri MLA Mynampally Hanumanth Rao, MA&UD Minister K Taraka Rama Rao, Jangaon MLA Muthireddy Yadagiri Reddy and Uppal MLA Bethi Subhash Reddy.

The more than 200-year-old graveyard is one of the oldest for both the Hindu and the Christian communities. The graveyard is located in 20 acres is divided equally between the two communities. Besides the locals in Kapra, this burial ground is used by around 20 lakh Tamilians living in and around the city and also to have shifted to different places like Bhoiguda, Trimulgherry and Lalaguda. Most of the community members believe that the deceased are buried near to his/her family members who were buried earlier at one site in a graveyard.Earlier, there were no proper roads for people to even walk and carry the deceased due to the muddy roads, pebbles and thorns. Without proper drinking facilities, people would suffer a lot for drinking water and to wash their legs after the final rites were conducted.

The graveyard now has a marble platform opposite to the Satyavadi Harish Chandra temple for Hindus and similar kind of a structure near the church for the Christians to perform the rituals before the last rites.

Speaking to THI, Swarna Raj said, "Earlier the condition of the graveyard was in a very bad condition. I determined to develop this graveyard. People are now able to visit the graveyard whenever they remember their dead kin as there is better connectivity to several nearby areas."

However, the graveyard was also a place for anti-social elements indulging in activities like drugs, ganja and a place for love birds. This led to serious issues for the locals who stayed nearby. Locals alleged that many schools and college students visited the graveyard to create nuisance and anti-social activities.

To curb such activities, Swarna Raj said, "Gates have been built on both the ends of the graveyard. After the inauguration, the gates will be closed after 7 pm and will be handed over to the GHMC authorities to take further responsibilities and decisions."

Sandhria J, a commuter and a resident of Sainikpuri, said, "After the development, we are a bit relaxed to commute from this area as it connects to areas like Yapral and Sainikpuri. Earlier, there were incidents of nuisance created by lumpen elements. I request the police officials to do a regular patrolling in this area."

Amenities coming up

• CC roads; Waiting hall

• Marble platform for rituals before last rites

• Good lighting system all over the graveyard

• Water facilities including drinking water and for last rite rituals