A colony sans civic amenities

By Suresh Krishnamoorthy

HYDERABAD, JULY 5. An area with about 2,000 houses called Officers' Colony in Ramakrishnapuram, on the fringe of Cantonment area, has been suffering from neglect as far as the civic amenities are concerned for the past several years.

Despite numerous complaints from the residents, representing both defence services and other Government departments, the Malkajgiri Municipal administration apparently has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to their woes.

There is no supply of safe drinking water and virtually every house in the locality depends on bore water. For those who wish to drink municipal water, it means a 3 km walk or drive to the water tap near the Ramakrishnapuram Railway Station. ``Even this facility is available to us only once in three days,'' says Babu Yadav, a youngster who runs a dairy farm in the colony.

One of the oldest residents in the area, Dr. K.V. Subba Rao, an ex-serviceman says: ``This colony is probably the most neglected one in the entire municipality. We can boast of a post office nearby, but look at the approach road. Who would want to walk down the road and come to post their letters?''

Some time ago, the residents in a section of the colony contributed Rs. 1,000 each for construction of a drain which connects to the main drain running through the colony. ``But two- and-a-half months ago, the municipal authorities came and dug it up saying they were providing a wider drain for sewerage to pass. They have only dug up the road, but the drain is still to come,'' says Babu Yadav.

There are other problems too. Like inadequate number of streetlights and irregular clearance of garbage. ``Most of us have dutifully paid the property tax. But what's the use? We still do not enjoy the benefits of basic civic amenities,'' is the common refrain of many a resident in the area.

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Section  : Southern States
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