VIJAYAWADA: As night descends, disposable glasses and titbits are strewn everywhere in the streets here. Liquor starts flowing and streets in LIC Colony turn into open bars. Women and children are reluctant to step out of their homes and fear grips their mind as the only park in the colony turns into a tipplers’ den. According to a section of residents, though a lot of fuss is made about Vijayawada being part of the State capital Amaravati, many of its posh residential localities have become hotspots for hooligans who consume alcohol openly right under the nose of city police, making life miserable for people.
There are instances of students being injured due broken glass pieces. Several representations have been made to the city police and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) regarding the public nuisance. But no measures have been taken to curb the menace so far. “With inadequate street lights, the locality becomes a romancing spot for lovers in the evening, much to the inconvenience of women. Pedestrians are the worst-affected and several complaints have been made to the police. The VMC should install LED lights in the locality to check the problem,” says D Keerthana, a private employee residing in the colony.
Another major problem haunting the locality is the availability of vacant plots which are being used as dumping grounds by sanitation staff. The lack of dumper bins in the locality forces locals to dump the waste into tree guards that dot the lanes.
“Irregular garbage collection from households is another problem in the colony. In addition, lack of proper awareness about hygiene among slum dwellers residing close to the locality is another setback to us. A massive cleanliness campaign coupled with development of roads in the locality and placement of enough garbage bins are some of the measures need to be taken by the VMC to improve sanitation in the colony,” says K Bala Koteswara Rao, a retired employee.
The park in the colony is in a dismal state due to lack of proper maintenance. One can witness filth and garbage with stray animals scavenging for food. “The stray animals are a big nuisance to the residents and a threat to children. The municipal corporation should conduct a special drive and catch stray animals to provide respite to the residents of the colony,” says D Rajani, another resident.
Speaking to Express, VMC Chief Medical and Health Officer M Gopi Naik said: “The municipal corporation is planning to recruit 250 sanitation staff who quit their jobs due to personal and health issues. The matter has been taken to the notice of Municipal Commissioner J Nivas. As of now, a team of officials are scrutinising the applications received for the posts of sanitation staff. Sanitation in the VMC divisions will certainly improve with the deployment of the newly recruited staff.”
EXPRESS campaign for Swachh Vijayawada
We at Express believe in giving voice to citizens and that has always been our guiding principle. As Vijayawada, at the heart of the State administration, expands, inviting global attention, it is time we, the people, join hands to make the city Swachh in every sense of the term. It’s towards this objective that Express will be your platform every Sunday. Write to us about the problems in your colonies and we will be the bridge between you and civic authorities. Nothing gets things moving like raising your voice and we promise to make you heard. So join the Express campaign for a better Vijayawada!
Email: expressvij@ newindianexpress.com