Hyderabad: Over 1,800 voters of Roshandowla Colony (ward no. 16) in Hasthinapuram boycotted voting on Tuesday and protested in front of the polling station asking the collector or MRO to promise development in the ward.
The residents complained that they had been neglected by the previous TDP corporator Mr Rama Reddy for over five years, and though funds were released for sewerage, roads and water, nothing had reached the ward.
Over 800 families living in Roshandowla Colony have been facing severe problems with snakes and stray dogs. The DRO later intervened and promised funds for development.
Up till noon on Tuesday, only 99 votes were recorded in the ward. Colony resident Mr K. Srinivas said, “It’s a 30-year-old colony and defence establishments are adjacent to it. For every development (including building constructions) the Defence centres need to be kept in mind".
"Whenever we approached the corporator he would say that funds had been released and were with the collector. Several times residents had protested at the collectorate but there was zero response", Srinivas said.
"We have no sewerage, water connection, no road connectivity, and are facing increasing number of dog and snake bite cases. Even the ground water is contaminated", added Srinivas.
The colony falls under the Saroornagar mandal revenue office. Earlier this ward was under L.B. Nagar but after delimitation it is now under Hasthinapuram division.
Residents protested at the polling station till 3 pm, demanding the collector to assure ward development.
“Children often fall sick due to water contamination and no one attended to the dog and snake menace, many a times snakes have entered the colony temple. The open drain is a proof of how the ward has ben neglected,” said a resident.
Towards the end of the voting schedule the deputy revenue officials assured the residents that funds would be released and works would be executed.
Soon after this assurance, few protesting residents went ahead voted.
