It’s much worse in Hyderabad’s old city

BATTERED - That's the condition of Mozamjahi Market cross roads. Photo: K.Ramesh Babu

The old city has not been spared from official apathy. Though roads in other parts of twin cities are repaired and if need be re-laid regularly, many stretches in and around Charminar have been neglected for quite some time.

Areas such as Kalapathar, Bahadurpura-Kamatipura stretch are difficult to drive on, as many motorists come to a screeching halt as they try to avoid potholes on the stretch. “Every time the roads are in a horrible condition, the officials cover the potholes and leave. One spell of rain is enough to undo the repairs. Why don’t the civic authorities come up with a permanent solution to tackle the problem?” questions Moshin Shareef, a resident of Falaknuma.

Loose sand, gravel and battered roads anger motorists who commute on the Misrigunj-Kishanbagh stretch, Idgah Mir Alam road, Rein Bazaar and Yakutpura. “The prevailing conditions will never be rectified in these areas. No official has stepped up to take care of the old city when compared to the regular repair works that are done in other parts of the twin cities,” complains Rasheed Khan, a resident of Moghulpura.

A lot of areas in the old city see heavy traffic, especially the Shah-ali-banda and Charminar route where a lot of slush accumulates on parts of the stretch.

Slippery roads

“The roads turn slippery when it rains and water logging in several areas leaves the stretch battered, slowing down traffic flow. The officials ought to step up their maintenance measures,” says Mohammed Lateef, a resident of Shah-ali-Banda.