Cacophony, firetraps send Secunderabad residents in tizzy

HYDERABAD: Residential pockets in Secunderabad have turned into a tinderbox with combustible petroleum products and paints stored inside highrises without any fire safety inside apartments.
Angry residents have been crying hoarse about possible fire accidents, noise and air pollution, and lack of sleep due to unauthorised godown-cum workshops operating at night.
Most complaints poured the TOI office from BHEL Colony located in Rasoolpura, Secunderabad, erstwhile Anand Theatre, Secunderabad and East Marredpally. Buildings with commercial set-up in ground floor and houses on the higher floors, courier services, wall paint godowns, shops set up by borewell drilling contractors with equipment dumped in their place were spotted by TOI in these residential localities.
"Frequent movement of commercial vehicles carrying goods have turned the quiet area into a busy market," said V Kumar resident of Bhel Colony, Rasoolpura, who requested immediate action by authorities.
Another resident said that they don't get enough sleep due to illegal work even during early hours. "All we can hear is loud noises of workers, vehicular movement, noise of goods being loaded and unloaded," said Dr M Nagi Reddy, a resident from that area.
Residents of BHEL Colony and some residential areas in Secunderabad alleged that the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) for turning a blind eye towards there grievances. "We have already lodged a complaint with SCB regarding the shops, but it has gone in vain. Our grievances have not been addressed," said V Kumar.
SCB officials admitted how residential areas have turned into commercial hubs. "The shops are in the area since years, once the election duty ends we will inspect and take appropriate action," said an SCB official.
Pointing towards paint godowns, locals said the smell of paint becomes unbearable. "Air quality in our locality is already poor compared to other residential areas due to frequent vehicle movement. We have to keep our windows closed round the clock due to unbearable smell of paint and pollution," said a woman from a residential colony.