Anjan's poor show angers citizens

HYDERABAD: While new contenders promise to make the contest tough for the sitting lawmaker in Secunderabad, angry residents across the key constituency say addressing poor infrastructure will be the clinching factor for the winner this election.
Civic problems continue to plague the urban parliamentary constituency despite many works having been taken up under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).Over the past five years, nearly 340 projects worth a whopping Rs 19.4 crore were sanctioned, making sitting MP Anjan Kumar Yadav one of a few parliamentarians to make use of funds under the MPLADs. But people across the constituency do not agree. Denizens say that Yadav is never to be seen and does not even make a semblance of interaction with people.
"Where is the development in the segment? Where are the signs of visible change in the constituency, can our honorable leader explain?" said Kavuri Reddy, a resident of Malkajgiri. "A constituency like Secunderabad requires a better representative," he adds.
On paper, projects aimed at improving drinking water, education, electricity, health and family welfare, roads, and sanitation have been taken up. But a closer scrutiny reveals that only 85 projects have been completed, with many key citizen welfare projects sanctioned in 2009 and 2010, remaining pending.
Some of the pending projects include laying pipelines in Shaikpet sanctioned at a cost of Rs 21.6 lakh (2009), laying of 11KV cable in Film Nagar, costing Rs 1.26 lakh (2011), laying of sewer pipeline in Maruthi Nagar costing Rs 10, 82 (2012), Musheerabad and another similar project in Khairatabad costing Rs 14.04 lakh (2012).
"The roads are in a complete mess. It seems the entire constituency has been dug up and with no clue when the repairs would be taken up," Sunitha K, a housewife laments. The constituency covers the Assembly segments of Secunderabad, Musheerabad, Amberpet, Sanathnagar, Khairatabad, Jubilee Hills and Nampally.
Curiously, the data shows an impressive expenditure of Rs 15.49 crore or 82 percent fund utilization under the scheme, but over 230 works are at various stages of execution.
Angry at the situation, the residents in the constituency say they expect new candidates for both Assembly and Parliament to focus on addressing their problems, should they at all aspire to come to power. "Water and drainage problems need urgent attention in our area. The maintenance of parks is also an issue," said Kamath Reddy, a resident of BK Guda in SR Nagar.
Locals of Chilkaguda-Doodbavi area say that besides drainage and drinking water problems, land grabbing is a major issue as officials have been lax. "About 3,000 square yards of vacant land near the municipal complex is illegally occupied by private persons and the revenue officials are not doing anything about it," said a Basvesh Gautam, a resident of Bhoiguda.
Those living around the Rail Nilayam complain that the main road is in a perennial need of repairs causing traffic problems. Residents of East Marredpally, who nearly had a showdown with the Army recently over closure of AOC roads, have for long been asking for a wider road from their area to Tukaram Gate to improve traffic movement. "Several pleas to our MP failed. He doesn't have time for us at all. Where will we go now with our problems?" asked a local resident, Subba Rao.
Residents of Addagutta slum are perhaps among the worst affected. With a population of 50,000 living in about 5,000 houses, drainage problem is a major issue. The underground drainage system does not exist even as the main pipelines are choked with sewerage owing to recent constructions across the lines. Other big slums in the constituency which have received a raw deal include Ambedkar Nagar, Shyamalakunta and Ankamma slums.
In spite of best efforts, Anjan Kumar Yadav could not be contacted.