VIJAYAWADA: Lack of road maintenance, dearth of streetlights, stray dog menace, open drains-name the problem and Madhura Nagar has it all. Despite several complaints by the residents, not much has been done to address these issues. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) was to cater to road maintenance and street lighting in the locality but the plan continues to remain on paper, allege residents. Even motorists have to drive their way in pitch dark roads. “What is the purpose of paying maintenance charge if we don’t even have enough street lights? The roads are in a dilapidated state, posing a grave risk for commuters and motorists,” said N Koti Reddy, a resident of the locality.
“For someone who is not aware of the prevailing road condition here, driving through canal road is as good as putting one’s life at risk. The roads are dangerous at night. With not enough street lights and the roads riddled with potholes, driving is suicidal,” said P Naveen Kumar, another resident. Due to poor lighting many people have fallen into the ditches. Locals are hesitant to use the road, particularly during monsoon, fearing injuries while taking a walk or driving through the street.
“Another major problem haunting the residents is stray dog menace. They howl all night and chase us, making it difficult for us to venture out after dark,” frowns resident Lahari Kakarla. ‘’We’ve called dog catchers many times but they see the dense bushes and go back every time,” she adds. Some homes in the colony have open drains forcing residents to clean them almost everyday. Residents also complain of bandicoots digging their way into their homes.
‘’Our demand is construction of a proper closed drainage and laying proper tar roads. Even the issue of open sewage flow needs to be addressed,” rued some of the residents. When contacted, VMC officials informed that storm water drain and tar roads will be laid in the colony in the next few months. “A resolution in this connection has been passed and we are awaiting funds to call for tenders and begin the work. Mosquitoes breed in the water stagnating in the drain. Proper rainwater drains will soon be laid will to ensure that water is not left to stagnate,” said the sanitary inspector of the colony.
Commenting on the poor sanitation in the city, the civic body officials said that shortage of sanitation staff is the major reason for the delay in shifting the piled up garbage in the locality. Municipal commissioner J Nivas has directed officials to ccord top priority to cleanliness by distributing coloured bins for segregation, they said.
Reality check
There are not enough streetlights in the colony forcing motorists to drive through pitch dark roads
The roads are riddled with potlholes. Motorists travelling on this road have a bumpy ride
Stray dog menace makes it difficult for residents to venture out at night
Open drains in the colony have become a breeding ground for mosquitoes