Abdul Khaleel, an Intermediate pass-out from Aliabad, travels 20 km everyday to reach his workplace. A sales supervisor at a shopping mall at Jubilee Hills, he does not consider the journey a challenge.
Thanks to road connectivity and easy access to public and private transport, the new growth areas in the city are turning greener pastures for many blue-collared workers in Old City.
“It takes about an hour to reach my workplace, but the journey is worth the effort. I get around Rs. 18,000 a month, including incentives, which is not possible in this part of the city,” says Khaleel, who was recently married.
Scores of people from these parts now prefer new growth areas like Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Hitec City, Kondapur, Kukatpally and Chandanagar to work. Easy access to these areas, thanks to good roads and public transport facilities like the APSRTC and MMTS, enables them to cherish their dreams.
Nizamuddin, who works as a salesman at a popular mall at Madhapur, says: “Earlier, I worked at a shopping mall at Ameerpet but took the job here, as I was offered a higher salary.” Nizam is also pursuing B.A. through correspondence course.
If software companies are attracting professionals to Hitec City and its surrounding areas, several Intermediate pass-outs are also cashing on the changing trends and grabbing jobs at shopping malls and big stores.
“Apart from a lucrative pay, we are entitled for incentives, ESI and PF benefits. Also, growth is guaranteed in retail sector companies, and it is worth the effort,” says Kashif, a salesman.
On the other hand, Old City markets are facing crunch of salesmen, forcing many to employ migrants from U.P, Bihar, Maharasthra and Karnataka. “Educated youngsters now prefer newer areas in view of better pay and growth options,” a shop keeper at Pathergatti says.
