A haven for retired employees, NRI parents, elderly couples and senior citizens who have been living in the neighbourhood for decades and fell in love with the place for many reasons.
Once a farmland, Lawson’s Bay Colony is more known for its intricately built bungalows and high-rise apartment complexes. Surrounded by MVP Colony sector XI to its north, Beach Road to the east, East Point Colony to its south and Peda Waltair to its west, close to 20,000 people live here.
Ask any resident what binds them to the posh locality that has a reasonable green cover, the answer apparently varies. “You don’t have to worry much if any guest pays a surprise visit. From ice-cream shops to vegetable outlets and fruit counters, everything is accessible just a few yards away from home. Convenience is what we really appreciate and that is the bliss we experience here,” says M. Santha, an advocate and a resident of the colony.
Interestingly, people in the neighbourhood also get home-cooked food delivered at their doorstep. “With more elderly couples living in the colony and their children settled abroad, this kind of service really counts,” says Ms. Santha.
A.B.S.V. Ranga Rao, programme coordinator of Gandhian Study Centre and a Professor of Department of Social Work, Andhra University, says, “After a long tiring day at work, I really look forward to relax at home. The picturesque beauty of the location has a calming effect and that’s the reason why we have been staying here for over 22 years.”
Friendship is another bonding factor that attracted M.V. Ramana, a retired employee, to the colony. “I came to this colony 21 years ago from Kurnool. Apart from the convenience the neighbourhood offers, I enjoy the special bond with friends that I made over the years,” he shares.
Common complaints
Despite the UGD system in place, a large open drain cuts across the colony lane. Irregular garbage collection and mosquito menace are the most common complaints that residents about. “In addition to this, untreated waste water let out by the sewage treatment plant, located close by, emanates unbearable stench. Of late, a number of makeshift eatery stalls have come up in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone,” explains K.V. Ramana, former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, who has been residing in the colony since 1980.
Though the underground cable works got completed the road remains dug up. A few roads have been partially dug up. Dug-up roads and overloaded dumper bins are a common sight here.
Zone II Call Centre: 2746314; Zone Commissioner: Nallanayya
