A beginning, a ‘muddle' and no end. That about sums up the execution of projects by government. What is essentially a scheme to ensure safe drinking water and hassle free disposal of sewerage has become a millstone around the necks of citizens all because of the governmental apathy.
There is no respite from polluted water for residents of Jhatpatnagar, Vinayak Vidhi, Kamalnagar and Azampura in Malakpet Assembly constituency. Five months after the roads were dug up for replacement of the damaged water supply pipelines, the work is nowhere near completion.
In fact pipes have not been laid yet, only dumped along the road margins. Acute shortage of 8, 6 and 4 inches DI pipelines is the reason for the work hanging fire.
Administrative sanction of Rs. 5.40 lakh was accorded as far back as June 30 for laying of 100 mm DI pipelines but till date the work is yet to take off. In the narrow lanes at Jhatpatnagar, Khandar Khan Dodhi, new road in Chanchalguda trenches have been dug up and left just like that posing danger to pedestrian. “These works ought to have been completed on urgent basis since people here are getting contaminated water”, says Azampura corporator, Amjadullah Khan.
It is the same story at Mir Alam Mandi, Komatwadi, Farhatnagar, Golconda where new water line was sanctioned six months ago following complaints of polluted water supply. But till date the pipelines have not been laid. Protesting against the delay Majlis legislators staged a dharna the other day before the Water Board office.
The same apathy marks the execution of sewerage improvement works in the old city under JNNURM funds. At several areas one can see huge 1000 mm diameter pipes lying on the footpaths for months together. The RUB at Yakutpura railway station and the area beneath the Dabeerpura flyover resembles a veritable storehouse of pipes. Near the Darbar Maisamma temple at Chaderghat a trench is dug up four months ago and the poclain is still parked there. “But so far the pipes are not laid causing a great hardship to people visiting the temple”, says Ashok, president, temple organizing committee.
In most areas the deadline set for completion of works is over long back. Non payment of dues has forced the contractors to go slow, it is said. The tardy pace of work has held up the recarpeting of roads in several areas. Works have been sanctioned but roads not laid as they would be dug up again for laying of the sewerage pipes. And for the common man the misery keeps mounting.
