It is hard to believe that 50 years ago Koilada Rama Murthy Colony, popularly known as KRM Colony, was a farmland where paddy, maize, and vegetables were grown extensively.
As years passed by, the farmland, which also had a natural water stream, turned into an urban jungle with 50 per cent of the population belonging to the low income groups, and the rich and upper-middle classes constituting the remaining half.
Making optimum utilisation of space, more than 10,000 people have been living in the colony located near Seethammadhara for several decades now.
A well-maintained park, which bagged an award for best maintenance, is one of the favourite meeting spots for the residents, who prefer to take an early morning walk or catch up with their dear ones after a long tiring day at work in the evening.
The colony has a couple of burial grounds. One of them, called Shantivaram, has been adopted by CMD of CMR Group Mavuri Venkata Ramana. The new additions here include a concrete shelter that can accommodate over 500 persons. Apart from neatly designed landscape with a huge idol of Lord Shiva, Shantivanam also has bathrooms and a storeroom facility.
The colony shows signs of vertical growth with the first-of-its-kind multi-storeyed apartment complex coming up on 4.13 acres.
Residents are, however, unhappy with poor sanitation.
“It is good to note that the smart city concept is taking wing. However, owing to apathy among officials, problems still persist. For instance, the colony is prone to inundation. During monsoon, sewage overflows from manholes and storm water drains. Though temporary measures have been taken by the GVMC, the problem remains unresolved,” says State vice-president of AITUC Padala Ramana, who has been living in the colony for several years.
A few residents point out that lack of proper UGD system, coupled with uneven road surface, adds to their woes.
“Despite the GVMC investing huge amount to improve the UGD system, inundation continues to pose a threat. This can be addressed if storm water drains are widened,” says M. Appa Rao, a resident of the colony for the past 40 years.
Members of the weaker sections see need for a community health centre and government school in the colony.
Zone II call centre helpline No.: 2746314.
Storm water drains have to be widened to address the issue: M. Appa Rao Resident