Image makeover need of the hour

A view of Srinagar in Visakhapatnam.

In several senses, Srinagar paints a picture of a commercial hub rather than an ideal residential colony. It’s the main feature of the colony that attracted around 12,000 people in the early 70s.

With Rajendra Nagar to its north, Rama Talkies Road to the east, Station Road to the south, and Seethammapeta to the west, Srinagar ends at Asilmetta junction. What was supposed to be one of the oldest residential layouts formed in 1933, it has gone through a metamorphosis over the years.

Today, only 30 per cent of the locality is residential and the balance is full of small enterprises. A number of hostels, colleges, and schools form a major part of the locality. “The 42-acre colony was once less explored and untouched by urbanisation. Since it is located in the heart of the city, Srinagar is one of the most sought-after areas. Today, the scene is completely different,” says Kallepalli Raju, who has been living in the area since 1978.

A market space created by blocking a g

edda (storm-water drain) appears clumsy and unhygienic. “Slum-dwellers residing close to this drain suffer from several diseases because of lack of cleanliness and proper maintenance. In addition, the fish market abutting the area is causing inconvenience as vendors dump the meat waste on the road,” says K. Vijayalakshmi, a resident. Irregular garbage disposal and blocked drains have significantly dented the colony’s image. With Srinagar Colony Welfare Association remaining dormant for many months, residents say that they will be teaming up to give a facelift to the area in a couple of weeks.

Slum-dwellers residing close to a ‘gedda’ suffer from several diseases due to lack of cleanliness

K. Vijayalakshmi

A resident

With Rajendra Nagar to its north, Rama Talkies Road to the east, Station Road to the south, and Seethammapeta to the west, Srinagar ends at Asilmetta junction. What was supposed to be one of the oldest residential layouts formed in 1933, it has gone through a metamorphosis over the years.

Today, only 30 per cent of the locality is residential and the balance is full of small enterprises. A number of hostels, colleges, and schools form a major part of the locality. “The 42-acre colony was once less explored and untouched by urbanisation. Since it is located in the heart of the city, Srinagar is one of the most sought-after areas. Today, the scene is completely different,” says Kallepalli Raju, who has been living in the area since 1978.

A market space created by blocking a g edda (storm-water drain) appears clumsy and unhygienic. “Slum-dwellers residing close to this drain suffer from several diseases because of lack of cleanliness and proper maintenance. In addition, the fish market abutting the area is causing inconvenience as vendors dump the meat waste on the road,” says K. Vijayalakshmi, a resident. Irregular garbage disposal and blocked drains have significantly dented the colony’s image. With Srinagar Colony Welfare Association remaining dormant for many months, residents say that they will be teaming up to give a facelift to the area in a couple of weeks.

Slum-dwellers residing close to a ‘gedda’ suffer from several diseases due to lack of cleanliness

K. Vijayalakshmi - A resident

Srinagar, an oldest residential area, is located in the heart of the city