The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Amjad Dawla Bagh in abysmal state

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 29, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Amjad Dawla Bagh in abysmal state

Abhijit Dev Kumar

Streets become slushy with the nala water flowing onto the roads in the area

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Civic mess: The open nala in Amjad Dawla Bagh overflows whenever there is a rain, causing untold miseries to the residents.

Hyderabad: An open ‘nala’ which flows beside and overflows during even a drizzle is causing several problems for the residents of Amjad Dawla Bagh at Misri Gunj near Chandulal Baradari. Streets become slushy with the nala water coming onto the roads and locals having to wade through knee-deep water.

This is not all. The situation is grimmer in a few homes located in low lying areas in the vicinity as the water enters their homes. Residents trying to drain out water from their homes with buckets are a common scene in this part of the old city.

Conditions unbearable

“We can’t get out of our homes when it rains. The rainwater overflows into the rooms and we have to sit on the beds till the water levels subside,” says Ruksana Begum.

In one of the streets where GHMC had recently constructed storm water drains, one can notice worn out drain covers strewn around haphazardly. “There have been several incidents where young boys have slipped into the drains but were pulled out in nick of time by residents,” says Mohammed Habibuddin, President, Public Welfare Society, a non- government organisation.

Another complaint from the locals is that parts of the stormwater drains caved in during the recent rain and no repair works have been taken up so far. “The drain covers which broke were removed by municipal workers a few days ago. The nala cover remnants are still lying here and the street is full of debris, stones and wooden planks”, points out a resident.

The bad sanitary conditions and overflowing water has resulted in many residents especially children falling sick. “Our children suffer from frequent viral fevers and the mosquito menace is quite acute too,” adds Mr. Habibuddin. Residents say municipal officials and elected representatives have made their inspections and visits but no remedial action is forthcoming.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh