Sanitation compromised in Secunderabad cantonment area

Hyderabad: The health and sanitation in the Secunderabad Cantonment Area is compromised as the State government did not release its pending dues, said SCB authorities. Due to the fund crunch, officials said that SCB could not only deploy men and machinery but also upkeep the sanitation in the area. Official sources said, of the total Rs 100 crore pending due, the government has released Rs 46 crore a couple of days ago.

“Rs 45 crore funds are to be received from the state government due to which there is lack of manpower. Cleaners are appointed to clean the streets every alternate day and at least once in three days, but I receive complaints where there has been no cleaning done for 15 days straight,” said the source, requesting anonymity.

The SCB Health Superintendent, Afzal Mohiuddin said that 100 percent sanitation is not maintained anywhere and he is satisfied with the services provided. “There are several teams deployed who on a daily basis pick up the garbage, clean drainages apart from anti-larval measures being taken,” said Mohiuddin.

The SCB CEO Madhukar Naik said that funds are nowhere related to the manpower as there is adequate staff placed. He added that people, who do not want to pay basic charges for the door-to-door collection facility, prefer littering the area by throwing garbage wherever they like. “Army areas are usually clean. It is only the public, commercial and market areas that require more attention. We are not 100 percent in providing all facilities, but we are at least better than our neighbor which is the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation,” said the CEO.

Even as the CEO mentioned that not all people are into door-to-door garbage collection, M Devender, Superintendent, Health and Sanitation, SCB said that 99 percent of the cantonment citizens are using the door-to-door garbage collection facility and there is not much garbage littered. He also added that there is a good drainage system maintained.

However, former SCB vice president, J. Maheshwar Reddy said that the cantonment has ideas for development but cannot execute it due to lack of funds. “The sewage collection can be much better. The vehicles and the equipment for cleaning can also improve. Garbage is being dumped everywhere and it is ignored. There is a serious need to impose challans for those littering garbage,” said the former V.P.

When officials were asked about open defecation and urination, especially near the slums, sanitation officials said that they do not see it happening and each house in the slum has their own individual toilet.

What SCB residents have to say

It has been a month that the sewage water is leaking all over the colony lane. It has also entered a few building premises. This has not only increased the mosquito menace but the area has also become very smelly. The SCB workers come and clean the sewage and the same problem arises the next day. The workers also dump the sewage waste on the streets and do not clean it. There is no proper solution being given. We complain, the workers clean it and the same repeats.
– Masuma Udaipurwala, Trimulgherry

Except for the main roads, the colonies, especially near the slums have become places of open defecation and urination. The area just stinks. It is depressing to see children as young as 6-10 years old defecate on the roads, right outside their houses (slums). The garbage is also piled up in these slums areas and not picked up for days, which is a serious health hazard to those living near, opposite side of the slum. We seriously need more public toilets.
– Naimesh Mehta, Mudfort

Despite several complaints being made to the SCB, the heaps of garbage get accumulated in colonies and are increasing day-by-day. Piles of garbage are not picked up regularly. We sometimes also spot pigs on the garbage. The garbage is all piled up on the entrance of the road and has almost occupied half of the road. The SCB workers say they are looking after the mosquito menace, but I don’t see it happening as the mosquitoes have multiplied.  – Hamza Tamba, Bowenpally.