VIJAYAWADA: Severe traffic congestion, lack of proper roads and flooding during monsoon are some of the issues that residents of Sanath Nagar have been grappling with for quite a long time now.
Moreover, the smell of rotting garbage and encroachment of road margins by commercial vehicles irk the residents.According to some residents, several streets in the locality have poorly designed speed breakers posing a danger to motorists.K Vignesh, a commuter, says, “At night, the speed breakers are hardly visible and there is every possibility that one may skid and fall. Why should there be speed breakers in narrow streets? At least, they should have been laid properly.”
“The stench from piled up garbage makes me nauseatic while I am going to the office every day,” says Shaik Abdul Raheem, a resident of the locality. Notwithstanding the claims of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation that it has launched a door-to-door collection of segregated garbage and placed dumper bins at strategic points to improve sanitation in the city, no emphasis has been laid on disposal of garbage. “Garbage can be seen everywhere in the locality. There are no dustbins and absolutely no proper arrangement for door-to-door garbage collection,” says Abdul Raheem.
“We have complained many times to the VMC authorities about the garbage problem, but no action has been taken to solve it. The garbage is burnt at night. The thick smoke makes our eyes itch,” says Ch Narasimha Rao, a senior citizen of the locality. “The unbearable stench from piled up garbage has caused respiratory problems for several people in the locality. The VMC should find a permanent solution to the problem,” he adds. “Every time, the VMC authorities construct roads or do patch work to fix the drainage system, the condition of roads get affected and commuters are forced to walk or drive on uneven roads,” says SK Noorjahan, another resident.
As the level of roads has increased, rainwater enters into houses located in the low lying areas rendering the residents helpless. A proper drainage system is a must for the colony to solve the inundation problem during the rainy season, she adds.When contacted, a VMC official said: “The municipal corporation is procuring more number of dumper bins, which will be placed in the locality soon to improve sanitation. Moreover, the Municipal Commissioner has ordered imposition of penalty on residents who indiscriminately dump garbage on the roads and in vacant places. The VMC has prepared estimates to repair potholes on roads and clear clogged drains. The basic amenities in Sanath Nagar will be improved soon.”
EXPRESS campaign for Swachh Vijayawada
We at Express believe in giving voice to citizens and that has always been our guiding principle. As Vijayawada expands, inviting global attention, it is a 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 the VMC. Nothing gets things moving like raising your voice and we promise to make you heard.
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