Irked citizens in Hyderabad’s Nallagandla area protest, as GHMC converts park to garbage site

The GHMC had been using the park as a 'temporary' garbage segregation site as a until a better location was identified.
Irked citizens in Hyderabad’s Nallagandla area protest, as GHMC converts park to garbage site
Irked citizens in Hyderabad’s Nallagandla area protest, as GHMC converts park to garbage site
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A group of citizens in Hyderabad's Nallagandla area are enraged over the ongoing construction work by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) at a notified park, with plans to turn it into a giant dumping ground.

'Rock Garden' in Nallagandla area was a designated park under the then Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) layout released in 2010.However, for more than a year, the GHMC has been using it as a garbage segregation site, stating that it was a 'temporary move', until a better location was identified. 

The area has several communities surrounding it, with five projects by the Aparna Group and one project by the Ramky Group, besides several smaller communities and independent houses. 

Residents say that close to 8,000 families are affected by the stench and have to shut their windows everyday, as the garbage piles up at the spot.

Despite strong protests from locals, it seems that the municipal body is now moving forward to make the area a permanent garbage transfer station.

"There was an inspection of the area by the local MP, MLA and Corporator, and we went to the spot as well. It was stinking even at that time, and we pointed out that this was what we had to bear all the time," says Vivekanand Pandey, a resident of Ramky One Kosmos, a residential project in the area.

"We were insisting that the status quo be maintained, and demanded that no money be spent, until the house owners in the area are taken into consideration. However, it fell on deaf ears, as the local GHMC Zonal Commissioner remained adamant," Vivek adds.

Meanwhile, the GHMC stated that the area would be cleaned up and a small part of the land would be used to dump wet waste into a compost pit, and segregate dry waste, along with a Dry Resource Collection centre. 

There are also plans to build a large wall, to contain the stench, and transport the waste only at night. 

 "They are planning to cement the floor of a substantial portion of the park, which is not acceptable. The GHMC is spending tax payer's money, and not even listening to our appeals," Vivek alleges.

 He adds that several bulldozers and JCB machines came to the spot on Saturday evening after the authorities left, and began construction on a structure. 

(Pillars being set up, for the wall which will be constructed)

"All of us are in disagreement with the move, and we will come out on the streets and protest if necessary. We are contemplating our next move, and we are also looking at legal options," Vivek says.  

Last week, citizens started an online campaign called 'Save Nallagandla Park', along with an online petition on Change.org.

"In the last two years, the situation has worsened with pollution and stench caused by huge load of waste dumped on the site on daily basis," the petition reads.

"This waste storage site is illegal and is a violation of basic principles of municipal health administration," the petition goes on to argue.

"This waste storage site is illegal and is a violation of basic principles of municipal health administration," the petition goes on to argue.

When pointed out that the GHMC would still need an alternative location to segregate the waste, the citizens had earlier argued that ‘dumpyards’ could not be in the middle of a community and norms had to be followed to ensure that these facilities control the pollution.

The petition to ‘Save Nallagandla Park from GHMC's stinking hub’, can be found here.

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