The Hindu : Utter chaos in surrounding areas

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Utter chaos in surrounding areas

By J.S. Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, JAN. 13. Bagh-e-Jahan Ara. Does the name ring a bell? Yes, it's the same unhygienic, godforsaken place in the old city, which claimed a boy's life not long ago. Today it has turned a new leaf, thanks to the media attention it attracted. After a gap of several years cement roads worth Rs. 25 lakhs are being laid in a dozen narrow lanes here.

But the areas surrounding Bagh-e-Jahan Ara continue to wallow in filth and grime. The pitiable conditions in Chowni Nade Ali Baig cry for attention. "Are the authorities waiting for some tragedy to occur before they pay heed?" wonders Mohsin, a resident.

This fear is shared by many others. A walk through the dusty lanes brings the misery into sharp focus. People in these parts have learnt to live with burst sewer lines and stinking garbage. Particularly the stretch between Golden Bakery and the Hanuman Temple has become impassable. Frequent overflow of water from sewer lines has resulted in formation of a cesspool. As if the stink is not enough, passersby are also getting the shock treatment now. The seepage of water into the nearby transformer is the cause for it. "After a complaint was made, Transco raised a wall around the transformer but the danger persists," says the Chanchalguda corporator, Amjadullah Khan.

The problem here is not just of official apathy but lack of inter-departmental coordination. Under the corporator's budget a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs was sanctioned two years ago for laying a cement concrete road. But the work couldn't be taken up as the sewer lines need to be set right first. "The sewer line work is estimated to cost Rs. 3.20 lakhs. But the HMWSSB says it has no funds," Mr. Khan points out.

A little further towards the Chanchalguda Central Jail and one can't miss the stomach-churning smell of garbage. The road, which passes behind the jail linking Saidabad has all but disappeared. It lies buried under mounds of putrefying garbage. Dumping of animal waste by dairy farms has only added to the seedy look. Dogs and cattle can be seen foraging for food, spreading the filth all around.

"The MCH doesn't bother to lift the garbage," local people complain. But the civic body can't be singled out for fault. The residents have to be blamed for turning a fine road into a garbage dump. The residents have also to be blamed for breaking a road-divider near the Dabeerpura flyover. A dairy farm owner is believed to have removed the divider so that his vehicles can move easily. But this has led to utter chaos with two-wheeler riders trying to cut through the opening unmindful of the traffic hazards. But why the MCH has not repaired the divider is intriguing.

Another major bottleneck is near the Meraj Café at Yakhutpura railway station. This spot has been identified for road widening and junction improvement. But two huge pipes on the road have become impediments to the free flow of traffic. The funny part is nobody knows which department has dumped the pipes and for what purpose.

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