Secunderabad: Encroachments, construction waste leave little space for pedestrians

SECUNDERABAD: Locals say that temporary sheds for construction labourers on the footpath along the road from Anandbagh crossroads to Safilguda have damaged the pavements that were restored a year ago.
K Raghavendra Rao, secretary of Uttam Nagar welfare association, said, “The entire footpath has been encroached upon. There is no space for pedestrians to walk.” He pointed out that most footpaths in Malkajgiri are occupied.“Either street vendors have illegally occupied pavements or temporary shelters have been built. We complained to the concerned authorities several times,” he said.
“They had erected the shelters on Tuesday. It is surprising that people are encroaching pavements in spite of the MA&UD minister strictly warning officials to ensure footpaths are maintained,” said Ruthvik Pandrangi, who commutes through the area frequently.
“I feel that the civic body has intentionally turned a blind eye because a few politicians have a stake in the project,” he added.
Some of the footpaths are also used to dump construction debris, which turn into slush after a spell of rain. “In the rainy season it is a nightmare,” says B T Srinivasan, general secretary of United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations. “The road becomes muddy and neither pedestrians can walk nor motorists can drive safely.”
A 925sqm area had been given to local GHMC authorities for road widening, but the corporation has not begun work yet, Srinivasan pointed out. “The area at the curve must be used for road widening to ease traffic flow,” he added.
Anil Raju, superintending engineer, Secunderabad, said, “We have taken notice of the encroachments and will dismantle them immediately. We had only given permission for the connecting sewage line with the manhole outside, but the builders have gone ahead and damaged the footpath completely.”