Hyderabad: Why isn't SCB acting on illegal hoardings?

• Hoardings and flexes of politicians are erected with gay abandon in the Cantonment area

• Residents allege SCB takes action to raze illegal encroachments only, and in respect of other issues, it is least bothered

Secunderabad: The administration, implementation of regulations seems to take different paths in twin cities. On one hand, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on Minister for Animal Husbandry Talasani Srinivas for displaying an unauthorised hoarding at Necklace Road Circle in Khairatabad. But, in contrary, scenes are different in adjacent Secunderabad. Hoardings and flexes of politicians are erected with gay abandon in the Cantonment area.

For instance, a huge signboard at Bowenpally Check Post has come up recently.

When queried, officials of Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM), GHMC said that the area does not come under their jurisdiction and they cannot do anything about it.

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) officials, after repeated attempts to contact them, refused to comment and second rung officials were tight lipped and said they were not authorized to speak.

Several decisions by the GHMC and even the State government are contravened in the SCB limits. Residents allege that SCB takes action to raze illegal encroachments only and when it comes to various other issues, it is least bothered.

"The SCB residents pay more for water supply and other amenities but the authorities do not provide enough for them. The roads, street lights and drainage system needs an overhaul," said G Shravan Kumar, a resident of the ward 4."

"The hoardings are an eyesore, every month various political parties are hanging banners over the signboards. Putting such type of hoarding can cause inconvenience to the public and also any incident can occur. Who would be responsible for this?", questions Shekar Reddy, a resident of Dairy Farm. "There have been several incidents where the hoarding have actually fallen on the commuters which led to serious accidents", said NJ Kennedy, resident of West Marredpally.