HYDERABAD: Ten days after fire broke out due to short-circuit leaving close to 200 people in Mala Kunta slum outside Nampally Exhibition Grounds homeless, they continue to sleep under a shed at the grounds.
Each family had been allotted patches of equal space to keep their belongings. Makeshift bathrooms with bamboo sheets have been set up for women as they cannot access the toilets inside the exhibition ground through the day.
Women from these families have been engaged in making items out of bamboo for the last three decades. Seated under a shamiana, awaiting lunch, ladies and children are trying to cope with the heat and also that fact that they are homeless.
“People have been kind to us. Members from Care Hospital have been providing eggs, milk and bananas every morning. Locals have been providing lunch and dinner as per their convenience. We haven’t been hungry, but we cannot continue to stay like this,” said G Seethamma, a 60-year-old.
“We got some utensils, two sarees, some clothes and also bedsheets and towels. Some people have also been giving us old clothes as and when they can,” shared G Padma, who lost her washing machine, a television set, 30 tula gold, and a lot of cash along with all identity cards and documents. They were also provided with 20 kg rice the day after the mishap occurred.
“We just need a roof so that we can start our life. We are unable to get back to work either,” rued R Sathyavati. Authorities say efforts are being made to relocate these families to other slums and colonies.
A fire, caused by a short circuit on April 14 left 51 families with nothing but the clothes they were in, after escaping the fire. As per the government order on natural calamities, a compensation of Rs 8,000 has also been distributed in the form of cheques to each family on Saturday. All of them have been taking shelter in the exhibition grounds opposite the slum for the last 10 days.
R Premalatha, Tahsildar for Nampally informed that socio-economic survey has been completed and those who are eligible will be relocated as soon as possible.
“Some of them already have homes in other places. They give them rent and live here in the huts. The others have been identified and they will soon be relocated,” said the officer.