HYDERABAD: Disappointed with the lack of civic work in their area, residents of Surya Nagar colony in Shaikpet have decided to hold back their property tax payments. Instead, they want to divert those funds towards the improvement of their neighbourhood.
The colony has 500 homes, each of which pay 10,000 (on an average) towards taxes.
But once a shining example of an ideal HUDA layout — it also received the first prize for the best park twice — residents rue how it has become shabby now. Many even, in jest, refer to it as a posh slum and complain how the colony is plagued by a range of issues, including bad roads, sewage overflow, and rampant illegal constructions.
“As the colony with a population of 5,000 is struggling with infrastructure issues for years, the residents will take matters into their own hands by pooling their tax money to develop the roads and sewage network if the civic authorities show no inclination to undertake the development works.
Despite being diligent in paying property taxes, electricity, and water bills, the residents have been subjected to subpar living conditions,” said Asif Sohail Hussain, president of Jubilee Hills constituency colonies forum.
“Our colony has become a treacherous place to navigate, with its streets riddled with potholes and cracks. We have repeatedly reached out to GHMC, but our cries have fallen on deaf ears,” said a resident Fazal Siddiqui. He added: “The deteriorating condition of the roads has made even simple tasks such as walking a risky affair. The elderly and children are particularly vulnerable, as they struggle to navigate the streets.”
Pointing out the poor sewage system, another resident, Muneer Ahmed, said that the streets are often flooded with sewage water, worsening the roads. There are frequent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue becoming rampant in the colony. The stagnant water has transformed the area into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and tragically, he said.
“We have sanctioned 70 lakh for the construction of new CC roads in Surya Nagar. The contract will be awarded in Oct, and the work will commence in the same month to enhance the road conditions,” said an executive engineer (GHMC), Jubilee Hills .
