The Hindu : Sanitation is unheard of in Bagh-e-Jahan Ara

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Sanitation is unheard of in Bagh-e-Jahan Ara

By T. Lalith Singh

HYDERABAD July 15. Sohail's tryst with learning was short-lived. Neighbours in the dingy lanes of Bagh-e-Jahan Ara in the Old City recall the boy trudging to nearby school. He went to school for few a days, before what the neighbours claim to be viral fever killed the four-year-old.

Civic authorities disagree with the cause of Sohail's death, but there could be no denial to the fact that life at Bagh-e-Jahan Ara is one of coexisting with slush, garbage, mosquitoes, open manholes and overflowing sewer.

Here, schoolchildren drink water from a hand pump that is half submerged in a sheet of slush in front of Minhaj-ush-Sharqia and the Princess Durru Shehwar Junior College. "We have lost count of complaints that have been made to the civic authorities and we have given up,'' sighs Mazhar Hussain, a resident of Shah Colony.

Near the Veer Hanuman temple, locals say several children have been taken ill during the last fortnight. Mahaveer, in the adjoining `basti', says two of his children have been down with fever for almost a week. "We are forced to live in this squalor. Civic authorities apparently don't have time for us,'' says Anand, a college student.

Close to a graveyard in Chawni Nad-e-Ali Baig, faecal matter floats in rainwater accumulated in a pit tap. Owners of the shops located close to the spot say that sewer lines overflow every few days and storms the pit tap. They complain that at times the stinking material flows over the road and "in front of the shops.''

More shocks await those venturing along the lanes that connect Bagh-e-Jahan Ara with Chawni. A series of manholes without lid act as a median. Children run around, motorcyclists drive vehicles as if in a circle and when night descends, locals say, one has to be careful with every step, lest you slip into a gaping hole.

Water stagnation is a common feature in these parts, and in many lanes one has to wade through cesspools. Residents at most places say that water supply has improved compared to earlier weeks, but what flows from taps happens to be contaminated. "The water smells and its colour scares us. But we have no alternative. So we use it even for drinking purpose,'' says a woman.

Those residing in the nearby Guddi Bowli are no better. One spell of rain and the entire low-lying `basti' gets submerged in slush and drainages overflow. "Sewer lines seem to connect with the water supply lines and what we get during rain is muddy water,'' says Asfia Begum.

Md. Rafeeq of Guddi Bowli says they have represented their woes several times to officials. "Their apathy puts us off,'' he says angrily. His voice finds an echo in Shah Colony, where Shaheed, a businessman, says they have asked for improvement of road, garbage and sewer at the recently- concluded Janmabhoomi programme. "The nodal officer noted down and left. But she never bothered to return with action,'' he laments.

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Sanitation is unheard of in Bagh-e-Jahan Ara