MUNUGODE: Seven months ago, a prestigious electoral battle ushered an unprecedented windfall of cash and goodies for the residents of Munugode, a nondescript town in Nalgonda district until then. Cut to June 2023, the dust has settled and politicians are no longer camping here 24x7. Many of Munugode's residents feel their honeymoon is over.
The villagers now face a complex reality. While some residents report a positive change, others say it's back to square one. The constituency is still facing several challenges of 'neellu, nidhulu and niyamakalu (water, funds and jobs) - the promise of Telangana's statehood.
BRS leader and BRS MLA, Kusukuntla Prabhakar Reddy told TOI: "Development is moving at a speed of 100/kmph". The constituency now boasts of well-laid CC roads in every ward and there has been significant change in all municipalities, he said.
Chandur resident Swamy Chintakayala told this correspondent, "There has been a renewed focus on improving access to healthcare and education, which are two neglected areas of the constituency."
Ayub Khan, a small business owner, said, "We are hopeful the government will prioritise infrastructure development."
However, many continue to voice disappointment. Despite Munugode constituency sharing a boundary with Greater Hyderabad, several villages in the constituency lack cell phone connectivity.
"Also, there are no state-run buses to reach our villages. There's hardly any sign of development in some sectors," says youth leader Ponugoti Damodar. There are no major companies to provide employment opportunities, apart from a pharma industry in Choutuppal and an industrial park in Gudimalkapur.
Though the industrial park clocked some growth, residents voice concern about neglect of other key areas.
"As cotton is widely cultivated here, processing units should be set up here," a farmer said. Durga, another resident of Mallepally village, expressed frustration. "We have been waiting for years for a bus service and cellular connectivity. It's difficult to travel to work or transport goods. We have to depend on autos. We need action now."
The grand vision of bringing the Dindi lift irrigation project, Udaya Samudram lift irrigation scheme, Charlagudem and Kistampally reservoirs remains an elusive dream. A displaced resident of Shivannagudem reservoir Sivanna Goud is angry about meagre compensation.
However, a local BRS leader says officials are sorting out issues and the projects would be completed soon. "Farmers whose lands were acquired for Shivannagudem reservoir are being given alternate land parcels as compensation. Also, some have been granted pattas along with a rehabilitation and resettlement package. Other affected individuals will also be accommodated in suitable locations," the BRS leader said.
Despite being a populated area, the constituency lacks sufficient educational infrastructure. Munugode doesn't have degree colleges, forcing students to travel to cities for higher education.
Kalvakuntla villager Ailamma, whose two daughters are working in Hyderabad, said most youngsters migrate to Hyderabad for jobs and the middle-aged folk travel to neighbouring towns to work as labourers as they lack opportunities here.
While some residents are optimistic that change is on the horizon with the windfall of ₹1,500 crore funds for development projects from chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, others demand swift action and accountability.
"We are soon laying the foundation for a 100-bed hospital. Nearly ₹50 crore have been allocated for road infrastructure along with a ₹2 crore sanction for Banjara Bhavan. Each municipality has received ₹80 crore, and 75% development work is complete," Prabhakar Reddy told TOI.
Prabhakar Reddy also said that the state government has set up Asia's biggest MSME Green Industrial Park at Dandumalkapur in Munugode. Nearly 50 firms are setting up offices in the industrial park, while a Toy Park will be set up on 100 acres, and a food processing park too is coming up in its premises," he said.
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