This story is from October 22, 2019

Hyderabad’s civic infra missing in Secunderabad

When it comes to civic amenities Hyderabad ticks most boxes, but its twin city, Secunderabad, draws a blank. The recent rain on Sunday again brought to the forefront the inadequacies in civic amenities and infrastructure in Secunderabad.
Hyderabad’s civic infra missing in Secunderabad
File photo of a couple wading through a flooded street in Alwal after a spell of heavy rainfall a few days ago.
SECUNDERABAD: When it comes to civic amenities Hyderabad ticks most boxes, but its twin city, Secunderabad, draws a blank. The recent rain on Sunday again brought to the forefront the inadequacies in civic amenities and infrastructure in Secunderabad. While officials attribute much of the complaints to an increase in population and number of commercial sites in recent times, residents allege that authorities have turned a blind eye towards providing basic amenities in Secunderabad for several years.

“It is no exaggeration. Roads in Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills get frequent coat of tar, while those in areas such as Neredmet and Sainikpuri have to wait for even two years at times,” says Dharmapuri Anand, a resident of Defence Colony. Levelling of manhole chambers, pruning of trees, and removal of footpath encroachments are some of the basic demands of residents, but precious little is being done.
Secunderabad infra

Commuting on Sangeet-Paradise (Sarojini Devi Road) stretch is a nightmare. The road and manhole covers are not levelled, causing accidents. Residents also highlight the massive encroachment of pavements. “Cars are parked haphazardly on both sides of the road near Tivoli Junction on weekends,” K Subhadra of Tukaram Gate says, adding, “Sometimes, stalls are set up for religious gatherings, which occupy a large portion of the road. Motorists have a tough time navigating through the stretch.”
In several parts of Secunderabad, a new trend of apartment associations and individual house owners planting saplings on pavements has started. “It is not only hawkers who occupy pavements, but also the apartment associations. This has resulted in pedestrians walking on congested main roads,” Subhadra says.
Residents also complain how Hyderabad stays a notch above when it comes to getting water and electricity supply. “The ‘big brother’ (GHMC) allocates more funds and ensures better facilities for Hyderabad. What about us,” asks the secretary of a resident welfare association, not wanting to be named.
GHMC officials, however, deny step-motherly treatment to Secunderabad. They say all the problems will be addressed soon. “We will take up levelling of manhole chambers and other civic works soon. We will also co-ordinate with the water board to resolve the supply issues raised by residents,” says Nalini Padmavathi, deputy commissioner, GHMC, Begumpet circle.
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