Located between Mudasarlova and Simhachalam, and adjacent to the Bus Rapid Transport System, Pineapple Colony was once home to those who were into pineapple cultivation on the slopes of Simhachalam hills.
The colony allotted by the government to farmers and low-income groups in the early 1970s was sparsely occupied till 1980.
Deserted place
Today, 700 people live in the colony. While 80 per cent of the original residents have moved out of the locality in search of better livelihood, those who stay here say that the place looks a little deserted as they have to either reach Simhachalam or city to meet their daily needs.
There is no hospital located anywhere near the colony. And people here depend on the ‘104’ mobile medical service that makes an occasional visit to the place.
“In any emergency, we need to commute at least 4 km to 5 km to reach the nearest private hospital and a few more km to reach the government hospital in Simhachalam,” says U. Bhairav, who has been living in the colony for the last four decades.
The nearest market for the residents is at Arilova or Simhachalam. It is from theses places the residents get their groceries as well.
What appears to be the only plus point here is affordable rentals, ranging anywhere between Rs.1,500 and Rs. 2,000 for a two-bedroom house.
But one has to make sure whether the house has an attached toilet or not.
Women of the locality say that open defecation is still prevalent and that they find it extremely difficult to answer nature’s call during nights.
Threat from boars
“Occasionally, wild boars enter the colony and we are scared to venture out in the night,” they say.
The colony has open drainage facility and garbage is cleared at regular intervals. Residents want to have individual household latrines soon.
Zone Commissioner: P.M. Satyaveni; Call centre: 2509932.
