VIJAYAWADA: If you are driving through Devi Nagar near Budameru Canal, there is something that is bound to welcome you- stench emanating from the sewage. The lack of a proper sanitation system puts the health of residents at risk. Driving through some of the internal roads in the locality after dark has become a nightmare for two-wheelers. The road adjacent to Vijayawada- Kolkata railway line has sunk before the culvert and pebbles have surfaced on the ‘kutcha road’. Residents demanded that the authorities inspect the locality to ensure that the sanitation system is in place and that the locality is equipped with basic infrastructure.
“There is neither a hospital, nor a community welfare centre or a function hall in the locality. The absence of a function hall in the area is forcing us to partially occupy the road adjacent to railway line to erect pandals and celebrate weddings and festivals at our own risk,” said N Sanjeeva Rao, a retired teacher and a resident of the colony.There is a need for a community hall where in-house ceremonies can be organised. The Sulabh Complex maintained by VMC can be replaced by a community hall as not many are utilising the toilet facility, he suggested.
Mounds of garbage is strewn around the street corners and silt-clogged drainage channels not only add to the squalor but also draw bandicoots to the area. “A pothole at the entrance of the colony is hindering the traffic flow, causing inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters,” said V Chalapathi Rao, a resident.
The surrounding localities are well developed, claimed another resident. “Working women as well as housewives residing in the colony allege that the area is not safe as eve-teasers are prowling during the daytime. In fact, when my daughter goes to college or for her coaching classes, we go to pick her up as she returns late in the evening,’’ said V Kameswari.
The problem has been reported to officials but it has just been an exercise in futility. ‘’We have no other option left. We have written a letter to the officials concerned to resolve the matter and see that the streetlight is fixed soon for the convenience of everyday commuters as well as others,’’ she added.When contacted, VMC superintendent engineer P Adiseshu said a survey will be conducted shortly to identify the suitable land for the construction of community hall in the locality. The sanitary inspector of the locality has been asked to submit a detailed report on the number of dust bins to be installed in the locality to overcome the sanitation problem, he added.
Plethora of problems
There is neither a hospital, nor a community welfare centre or a function hall in the locality
Mounds of garbage is strewn around the street corners
Silt-clogged drainage channels not only add to the squalor but also draw bandicoots to the area
Working women as well as housewives residing in the colony allege that the area is not safe as eve-teasers are prowling during the daytime