Hyderabad: The residents of Godavari Gardens, Yapral, are suffering from multiple civic issues, including erratic water supply, crumbling roads, stray animals and unreliable supply of electricity. No proper action has been taken despite repeated complaints to the authorities, leaving the residents disheartened and many of the residents are senior citizens.
Dr S.C. Bhargava, 84, a retired specialist in electromagnetic phenomena from BHEL and the founding president of the Godavari Gardens Welfare Association, expressed his grief over the declining livability of the colony he has called home since 1974.
“The water supply has become so irregular that we get water only on alternate days and that too for just one hour with dismal pressure,” said Dr Bhargava. “There is no fixed timing and I often wake up early to check when the water will arrive. Without prior intimation or a proper schedule it becomes impossible to plan our daily needs,” he lamented.
The situation has made the residents depend on private water tankers, which charge Rs 650 for a single tanker. “There are about 50-60 houses in the colony and we are struggling to manage with this irregular water supply,” said another resident. Despite raising multiple complaints with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), there has been no resolution. “Even the MD of HMWS&SB responded and escalated the issue to the concerned general manager but no action has been taken so far from the GM,” complained Dr Bhargava. Additionally, the colony’s roads are in a bad state. “The condition of the roads becomes unbearable during the rainy season, making it dangerous for commuters. It’s shameful for a city aspiring to be a ‘smart city’ to have such basic infrastructure issues,” he said.
Another issue is the frequent menace of stray animals, including dogs and pigs roaming freely in the neighborhood. Residents say that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been aware of the problem but has failed to act.
The electricity supply in the colony is equally problematic. Dr Bhargava explained, “When this colony was built, the electricity supply was stable. But with the mushrooming of buildings in the area, the entire colony is now dependent on a single transformer which is inadequate for the increased demand. This transformer needs to be replaced or upgraded to withstand the needs of all households.”
Despite raising the issue with the superintendent engineer in 2022, no progress has been made. Dr Bhargava’s daughter, Anshu, said, “It’s miserable to live in these conditions. My parents have worked hard to make this place livable. They don’t deserve such a treatment.” The residents of Godavari Gardens are requesting the authorities to address these issues immediately, ensuring basic facilities are restored and improved for all.
