Hyderabad's Malkajgiri area residents suffer as construction projects move at snail's pace

Two years on, Malkajgiri area awaits for an end to traffic nightmare.
Hyderabad's Malkajgiri area residents suffer as construction projects move at snail's pace
Hyderabad's Malkajgiri area residents suffer as construction projects move at snail's pace
Written by:

Much has been said and written about the poor state of the roads in Hyderabad, but the residents of areas like Safilguda, Anandbagh and Malkajgiri seem to have it the worst.

For the last two years, there has been constant construction work in the area, coupled with railway crossings that run right through the suburb, making it a nightmare for commuters.

One such project is the pipeline work that was undertaken by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) at the cost of several crore to lay pipelines to supply uninterrupted water to the area. 

However, as a result of prolonged digging work, roads in the area have practically disappeared. 

Earlier this month, three people suffered severe injuries after  a road in Safilguda caved in.

The accident happened due to construction work for the Malkajigiri water pipeline project, the road was dug up and reportedly filled up with loose gravel.

Despite this, the road is yet to be repaired.

(Vehicles manouvre around the area where a large piece of the road had caved in)

Two Road under Bridges (RuBs) being built at East Anandbagh and Uttam Nagar have been endlessly delayed, adding to commuters' woes.

The much-needed project was proposed in 2013, as railway gates in the area are closed for five to ten minutes every time a goods train passes through.

This leads to a massive traffic congestion, and the project promised to provide relief to local residents.

However, two years after construction started, two arterial roads remain blocked, and residents continue to suffer more than ever. Lack of roads and a detour of one to two kilometers at two spots has only made things worse.

"We were better off before all this. Even if traffic was slow, at least it was moving. The present state of the roads is making our body hurt by the time we ride a few kilometers," says Mahboob, a local resident.

"We are suffering from breathing problems because of the dust. We are finding it tough to go anywhere, and we have to think twice before stepping out of the house," Balraj, another local says.

(Mahboob (centre) and Balraj (right))

What Balraj is referring to, is a permanent layer of dust that is kicked up by passing vehicles and engulfs the area, due to a lack of roads.

At places like Safilguda railway station, the traffic is seen lining up for more than a kilometer during rush hour, to let local trains pass. 

The project was originally undertaken by three departments - the GHMC, the roads and buildings (R&B) department and the South Central Railway (SCR).

However, when an official from the R&B was contacted, he seemed puzzled and claimed that the project had been given to the GHMC.

"Initially, we were first told that work was pending with the Railways. However, since then, it has been taken over by the GHMC," says B T Srinivasan, general secretary of the united federation of resident welfare associations, Malkajgiri

"As far as works with the Uttamnagar RuB is concerned, the delay is because of a lack of coordination between departments. The HMWSSB needed to shift some pipes, while the electricity department needed to shift some high-tension electric poles. We were also told that money was not properly released to the contractors in time, as the GHMC was cash-starved," Srinivasan adds.

At East Anandbagh, Srinivasan says that there was an issue with local structures, after residents went to court for a stay order. 

"While the issues are getting sorted now, it is up to the contractor to push the project faster, and up to the GHMC to ensure that he has financial assistance," Srinivasan says.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com