HYDERABAD: Tucked away in the unprivileged locales of Fateh Nagar, residents living by the side of nalas not only face pungent stench but also end up with respiratory ailments. Owing to heavy concentration of industrial units, which allegedly dump all their effluents into the nala instead of proper disposal of industrial waste, several people complain of TB and breathlessness. Mosquito menace is an added woe for the residents here. “The effluents which are released during the evening hours have caused several people to develop breathing ailments, and in a few cases, there were people who contacted TB,” said a resident of Amruth Nagar.
The stench is petrifying at pockets of Jinkelwada, Bharath Nagar Colony and Karmik Nagar where residents often complain of poisonous gases. “Five years ago I was diagnosed with TB and the doctor informed that it was partly because of constant inhaling of gases released into the open drains,” said Pandu, a resident.When contacted, P Satish Goud, GHMC Corporator from Fateh Nagar Ward, said that he was doing his part in stopping illegal dumping of chemical effluents into the nala, but cannot help much against big companies indulging in such activities. “On several occasions, I confronted the truck drivers and warned them. But, when I further took the issue to the Pollution Control Board officials on increasing disposal of untreated industrial effluents, they said that nothing can be done as big players are involved,” he said.
Piggeries breeding a common sight in Bharath Nagar
Of the 13 basthies and 13 colonies present in the ward, piggeries is the most common sight and with its presence, the residents are constantly attacked by air borne diseases. At Bharath Nagar, Fateh Nagar and Jinkelwada, the issue is worst as piggeries are found in huge numbers. “Who calls this a developed colony where pigs move around just like humans. Our complaints to authorities have fallen on deaf ears,” said Akshay Kumar, a resident of Bharath Nagar Colony. “Even though the corporator knows about the issue, he just seems to be worried about his vote bank,” said another resident.
The corporator said that it was the community of Yerukala who were raising such pigs for business. “It is the Yerukala scheduled caste people who are grazing pigs for business,
I cannot ask them to stop as it will affect my vote bank,” said Satish Goud.
The corporator claimed to have spent close to D15 crore said that there were several important parks and roads that were re-laid as part of developmental.
Roads in pathetic state
At Indira Gandhi Puram the roads which have been dug last year to install underground pipelines are not even patched, forget laying of new roads. “It was in May last year that the roads were dug, but till today there is no sign of new roads,” said, a resident.