SCB says no cash, self-help is the best help for residents

Hyderabad: Tired of hearing the words “no funds” from the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) to carry out even minor repair works, residents in several colonies are taking up civic works like streetlight repair and filling potholes from their colony funds.

Some of the residents asked why they have to pay taxes when their localities do not get a fair share of the revenue for development of infrastructure.

Recently, Vasavinagar Welfare Association spent Rs 20,000 of its funds to repair potholes on the road.

Vasavi Colony president Telukunta Sathish Gupta told Deccan Chronicle, “we are tired of hearing that there are no funds with the SCB. We are one of the largest colonies and the highest taxpayers, still we are distanced from development in all aspects.”

He said it has been 15 to 16 years since the colony roads and the drainage system were built. “There are a lot of maintenance issues as they have become old. The SCB does not bother to recarpet the roads or to repair the drainage lines,” Mr Gupta said.

Other colonies have also set up their own garbage disposal systems and the colony associations are paying the workers salaries.

Colony parks are also being maintained by the residents. Mr N. Venktata Ramana, a resident of Malani Enclave, said, “we are maintaining our own parks. Recently we set up an electric pole by collecting money from the residents. We take up plantation works as well. It is the duty of the SCB to deploy security guards at the community parks but not even a single park is being maintained in the area.”

When contacted, an SCB official again said that the board was going through a fund crunch and it would take up developmental works as soon as money is released.