HYDERABAD: The residents of Cantonment area are vehemently opposing Secunderabad Cantonment Board’s (SCB) move to set up a dumping yard at Mudfort Ground.
Spanning over nine acres, Mudfort Ground is the only popular and spacious ground available for sports and recreation in SCB limits and even diverting this ground for other purposes is being vehemently opposed by the residents.
“We do not have any ground or open place to play in Cantonment area except Parade Ground which is also open for a few hours in the morning. All the kids and youth from nearby colonies and slums come to Mudfort for playing and jogging. Therefore officials should drop the proposal of setting up a dumping yard at Mudfort,” said Sunil Kumar, a youth from Bapujinagar.
Youth, joggers and morning walkers from areas like Karkhana, Bapujinagar, Bowenpally, Gunrock Enclave, P and T Colony, Sikh Village, Vikrampuri Colony, among others use Mudfort Ground. Besides serving as a playground, there is also a dobhi ghat at one corner in the ground.
The SCB officials have decided to set up a dumping yard at Mudfort, citing that the present dumping yard located at Annanagar junction is being relocated due to objections from airport authorities. “We will not convert the whole ground as dumping yard but use only 500 to 800 square yards of the area for waste dumping and recycling. We are forced to take up this step as the present dumping site at Annanagar is being relocated,” M Devender, sanitary superintendent of SCB, said.
But even using a part of Mudfort Ground is being vehemently opposed by residents as they fear that it would lead to dirtying of the surroundings and stinking.
“Can a playground and dumping yard co-exist? Also there is a dobhi ghat at one corner. Even if a part of playground is used for dumping, the atmosphere at the whole place will be ruined. Officials should be stepping up facilities for sports at the ground. Instead the SCB officials are trying to set up a dumping yard on the ground,” J Srinivasa Rao, a resident of P and T Colony said.