Hyderabad not most liveable city for Bholakpur residents

Living in unhygienic conditions, residents of the ward forced to struggle with pothole-ridden roads, overflowing drains every day

The main reason behind the subhuman living conditions in the ward is the large number of illegal units dismantling a host of material. | Express Photo Service

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad might have been ranked one of the best places to live in India but it is not so, at least for residents of Bholakpur ward, which can be easily termed as one of the most neglected wards in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Residents of the ward are forced to live in unhygienic and subhuman conditions. 

The main reason behind the subhuman living conditions in the ward is the large number of illegal units dismantling a host of material like copper and plastic from electrical wires, e-waste like air conditioners, computers, electric bulbs, television sets and cooler motors which contain poisonous metals, plastic household items and even medical waste from the nearby Gandhi Hospital possibly containing bacteria and virus.

(Left) An electrical goods repairing shop operates out from a street while (right) fencing material put on sale on the streets of Bholakpur | R Satish Babu 

533 tanneries in the ward 

Another major cause of concern is that there are many tanneries where skin of slaughtered goats, sheep and cattle is brought from various parts of the city, mainly Kamela near Amberpet. Discarded parts like intestines and animal bones are also brought here. As per government figures there are 533 units in total dealing with animal skin, platiscs, scrap and iron and steel.

Left over chemicals emptied into drains

Many in the area also sell used plastic drums from chemical industries. There are allegations that left over chemicals from these drums are emptied into the drains.  

Some areas of the ward have such narrow lanes that it becomes difficult for even a two-wheeler to pass through. On top of this, the roads here are all damaged and the potholes with sewage water from overflowing drains or rain water become breeding grounds for pathogens.

While these illegal units provide employment to many people, lack of any regard to safety and hygiene poses serious threat of occupational hazards to the workers and also results in air and water pollution.

These illegal units which openly function have been thriving due to lack of any action by officials government authorities like GHMC and Telangana State Pollution Control Board and also allegedly due to support of politicians.

It may be recalled State Human Rights Commission had earlier directed authorities to shift polluting units out of Bholakpur after some people approached SHRC on the issue.