VIJAYAWADA: Even as all major roads in and around Pakeer Gudem (Labbipet) were relaid by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) during Krishna Pushkaralu a year ago, the internal roads in the locality have been neglected. Consequently, commuters passing through the area are facing a harrowing time during the night,making it impossible to drive on the damaged roads.“Most of the roads in our locality have developed potholes. This is usually due to stagnation of water on the road surface. We are therefore fighting for removal of encroachments on the storm water drains. People tend to cover these drains to construct driveways and steps,’’ says Ch Bhaskar Rao, a resident of the locality.
Another resident V Sailesh Chowdary says the stretch has developed a lot of potholes after the recent incessant rains. The debris left by the builders has made the road uneven. “Driving on the internal roads of the locality is a nightmare. The potholes on the road have been filled up with bricks making it more uneven. The road leading to A Convention Centre is also in a very bad shape,” he adds.
Another major problem haunting in the locality is availability of vacant lands. Sanitation staff are dumping the garbage collected from the nearby colonies in the vacant lands. The lack of dumper bins in the locality is also forcing the locals to dump the waste in the tree guards that dot the lanes, which have eventually turned into dustbins.
“Irregular garbage collection from the households is a major concern in the locality. In addition to this, lack of proper awareness about hygiene among slum dwellers residing close to the neighbourhood is another setback for us. A massive advocacy campaign coupled with a revamp of roads in the locality and setting up of enough garbage bins are a few steps that need to be taken to improve sanitation in the locality,” says K Swarajyam, a retired bank employee residing in the locality for a decade.
Pothole-ridden road The VMC has failed to
clear the debris after constructing a drainage system in Gowthami Nagar. The adjacent road has been badly damaged. The pothole -ridden and poorly lit road poses a grave threat to vehicle riders at night.
K Sivaram Krishna Maruthi, Krishnalanka
Unbearable stench
Garbage has piled up near Babu Jagjivan Ram statue at Sikhamani Centre. The area has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The stench emanating from the garbage is unbearable and the public are facing severe inconvenience Richard Hu, Sikhamani Centre
Repair of roads a continuous process, says VMC EE
“Carrying out repair of roads is a continuous process. We are relaying roads all across the city which are in need repairs and identified earlier,” says Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Executive Engineer P Adi Seshu. He adds that some of the roads in the locality have been damaged due to the construction activity and moreover the heavy machinery operating for the execution of Storm Water Drain project have also caused damage to the road. Soon a survey will be conducted to identify the damaged roads in the locality and works will be taken up soon.
EXPRESS campaign for Swachh Vijayawada
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