Hyderabad: Most of the 15 lakh people living in Kukatpally and Serilingampally complain of the zero development done by the GHMC in the last 12 months. At areas like Gopanpally, Hydernagar and Kukatpally 14 A&B, civic projects were announced and even foundation stones laid, but the works have not been executed.
Residents have even submitted request letters along with recommendations from state ministers like K. T. Rama Rao and Harish Rao. They say that the power of execution has not been given to the deputy commissioner, which is causing the delay.
V.V Rao, zonal secretary of United Federation of Resident Welfare Association and a resident of Kukatpally said, “I appreciate the efforts of GHMC in planning the city with several new innovations, but we are equally worried that they are neglecting local issues. The major issue in Kukatpally that was not addressed in the Smart City meet on October 26 is the massive traffic congestion on roads connecting Hitec City and JNTU. Lakhs of vehicles use the road daily causing severe inconvenience. This is also due to the unfinished traffic circle work opposite Forum mall. This is the most congested stretch, it takes more than 25 minutes to cross the road. Another important issue is the unfinished major pipeline running from KPHB Colony, which has been causing traffic problems since two years.”
Shiva Reddy, a resident of Phase 1 — Kukatpally added, “Undeveloped parks in Kukatpally have become permanent parking places for old vehicles. All the storm water drains have become open drains, shelters for pigs and breeding grounds for mosquitoes... Also, GHMC workers are unable to dispose waste and they burn the garbage every day in colonies.”
Serilingampally TDP MLA Arekapudi Gandhi said, “It’s been over 15 month since we have been elected but not a single meeting with the GHMC commissioner has been conducted. Function halls and markets are planned in areas with less population. At Gopanpally, Hydernagar the road foundation stone was laid 10 month ago but no works have been executed. Serilingampally witnesses zero development as no funds are being pumped in. The GHMC deputy commissioner and circle heads are always busy attending commissioner’s meeting, zero power is given to the circle officer to carry out small works as well.”
Residents also complain of that there is no protection for open places left for parks even along the highways. Also, there are no responses to complaints made regarding debris clearance in dump yards along the roads near BSNL office.
Smart city meets shun basic needs
The Smart City workshops being conducted by the GHMC has no room for basic society solutions. The PPTs are on multi-grade separators, WiFi zones, LED lights and white topping of roads, but colony related issues have not been addressed. The workshop is to advertise the TRS and to create a hype before the GHMC elections, complained members of RWAs.
Madhav Reddy, a resident of Kukatpally who attended the smart city meeting, said, “It was more of an enrollment campaign, the special commissioner of GHMC, Navin Mithal, with the help of a PPT, showcased GHMC proposals and at the end read out: ‘A request to RWA’s representatives; please do let the GHMC know where you want to be involved, collect the participation form from RWA and return to the GHMC. If not enrolled, fill the form and hand over. If there is no RWAs in the area, form one and enroll’.”
The presentations were about the over 50 proposals announced and a few executed by the GHMC authorities. However, participants were looking for solutions to issues like garbage burning, drainage, increased water, road connectivity and security. Following complaints from representative that the reason for delays in works was lack of interaction with GHMC, the home minister has assured to arrange a meeting between RWAs MLAs and GHMC commissioner.
