LBNagar-Lacks-Development
Uncovering LB Nagar Area’s Most Pressing Issues: Insights from Politically Neutral Residents and NGOs
October 21, 2023

Uncovering LB Nagar Area’s Most Pressing Issues: Insights from Politically Neutral Residents and NGOs

By Venkat Ankam, IT Professional, Co-founder of Dha3R NGO, LB Nagar.

LB Nagar stands frozen in time, unchanged for a decade, a stark reminder of a Hyderabad city that forgot to provide its people with the most basic of civic amenities.  Hyderabad aims to rank among the top 25 most livable cities globally, emphasizing sustainability. The city is also undergoing a transformation into a global city under the commendable leadership of the current government. However, the scope of development remains confined to select areas, and the LB Nagar region within Hyderabad has been neglected and underdeveloped for a decade.

To gauge the present conditions in the LB Nagar area, consider paying a visit to any politician’s office. Be prepared for a physically demanding experience as you may have to stand for an hour,  put your sweat, blood, and tears to squeeze through a crowded entrance, all to be met with empty assurances. Meeting a government official can often feel like embarking on a test of patience. If you’re fortunate, the official may be present in their office and willing to engage in a conversation. However, more often than not, they seem to have an inventory of their own issues on hand, none of which align with your concerns, and their responses seldom provide any viable solutions. It’s akin to seeking a rainbow in a desert. This scenario mirrors the lack of organization and disorder that characterizes LB Nagar, as well as many other departments.

This is not an endeavor to accuse any specific politician or government official. Instead, it serves as an illustration of the current situation, intended to empower the public in making informed choices when selecting their leaders in the upcoming elections. Here’s a list of top 10 pressing issues compiled by LB Nagar’s responsible citizens.

1.    Autonagar Chemical Smell

Autonagar industrial area releasing chemical water into harina vanasthali forest – This has created massive air and underground water pollution making life a living hell for 20 colonies around it. With the help of Times of India, Dha3R NGO was able to bring this issue to limelight. Fought with government and to sanction an STP (sewage treatment plant). As on writing this blog, STP is working great but chemical water is still diverted into the national park and residents are facing health hazards. 

This problem is prevailing since last three years without a solution. Is there any politician or government official genuinely interested in safeguarding both human lives and the deer population in LB Nagar? Why does it take an entire year for GHMC to construct a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)? Why is there a lack of action from HMWSSB regarding the unauthorized construction of sewage lines? How can TSIIC and IALA recklessly divert industrial chemical wastewater into a national park, thereby contaminating the entire environment, while the Forest Department and Pollution Control Board appear to be supporting them? It seems like anyone can act with impunity in LB Nagar, where administration and law and order are seemingly absent. Such governance fosters a prevailing ‘do anything’ culture, exacerbating the situation. 

Why must residents stage protests and engage in battles, whether for minor or significant concerns? This undeniably reflects the present state of affairs in LB Nagar. The situation in LB Nagar is like a classroom without a teacher, where chaos prevails and the students are left to govern themselves.

Links:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-15-acre-in-mahavir-harina-vanasthali-national-park-turns-into-a-cesspool/articleshow/95897797.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/sewage-chemical-waste-raise-stink-in-auto-nagar/articleshow/94773626.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/stp-being-built-at-vanasthali-park-to-stem-the-damage-from-effluents/articleshow/95951673.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-locals-near-vanasthali-national-park-protest-against-sewage-treatment-plant-demand-etp/articleshow/95971038.cms
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1589944514495799297?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1592832680017944576?s=20
https://x.com/sudhakarudumula/status/1598144293075488771?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1604340975396356096?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1598965310417416193?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1696391620558741900?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1696392165285634293?s=20
https://x.com/Dha3r_Ngo/status/1654473877219844096?s=20

2.    Hyderabad’s Rapid Expansion: The Neglected East and Thriving West

 
While Hyderabad witnesses rapid growth and hosts major projects on the western side of the city, the east is consistently overlooked. The city is being promoted as a second home to IT giants, most livable, and a global ‘Tree City’ with major urban and theme parks and lake developments. However, LB Nagar area remains conspicuously absent from these promising developments. Question is not about major IT projects but basic amenities needed for citizens of LB Nagar. A few flyovers have alleviated traffic congestion in LB Nagar, but substantial initiatives are still lacking when compared to the flourishing developments in the west. Lakes in LB Nagar area are still ignored and all CSR initiatives of lakes gone towards west. Mansoorabad pedda cheruvu is adopted by a CSR initiative long back but development not started yet. 

3.    Lack of basic civic amenities in residential colonies

Air Quality:  LB Nagar residents may purchase water and food, but they remain unable to purchase clean air. The air quality index in the area has significantly deteriorated, primarily due to the burning of refuse, microplastics, industrial emissions, and heavily polluting vehicles. Siris Road in LB Nagar has transformed into a bustling center for firework vendors. Be it a birthday celebration or a wedding, these fireworks are contributing significantly to pollution. Is there any form of regulation addressing this issue?
 
Noise Pollution: Temples and mosques seem to be engaged in a competition to produce deafening music. Some play it in the morning, others in the evening, and a few persistently throughout the day. During various festivals, such as Ganesha, Ayyappa, and Muslim celebrations, the loud music disrupts children’s ability to concentrate on their studies. Sadly, questioning these practices is met with labels such as “anti-national” or “anti-societal.” Furthermore, wedding parties and young individuals ignite firecrackers at 1 AM, causing sleep disturbances for residents. Excessive use of loud vehicle horns on the roads goes unchecked, with no apparent effort from traffic police to create awareness or control these issues. The question that remains is, when will this scenario change?
 
Roads:  Some roads don’t exist, while some are half built and others are cut down for drainage/water needs or damaged by rain.  While new roads are laid, speed breakers are not considered leading to major accidents at junctions of colonies.  No proactive or preventive actions from either GHMC or HMWSSB to take necessary actions for road cuttings or overall road maintenance.  Some narrow roads like Mansoorabad to Sahara road is very much congested and no plans for expansion even after so many complaints and agitations.  
 
Water:  The water supplied by HMWSSB is not potable, resulting in heavy reliance on RO water plants and filters, which further deplete groundwater and jeopardize the health of the residents. Some times due to low pressure, not sufficient water is supplied. The lack of coordination between GHMC and HMWSSB operations occasionally results in the contamination of tap water with sewage. In addition, individuals indiscriminately waste water by spraying it on roads, as it incurs no cost, rendering the streets ugly for pedestrians. We haven’t seen any precautionary plan or action from HMWSSB. 
 
Drainage:  The occurrence of even a minor rains results in residential areas being submerged in sewage water. HMWSSB only initiates repairs in response to specific complaints about road sewage leaks. While repairs are conducted, no proactive measures are taken to prevent recurrent sewage issues, resulting in repeated sewage overflow at the same locations. Consequently, residents of certain Mansoorabad and LB Nagar colonies witness the distressing sight of sewage water on their streets on a daily basis.
 
Santitation and Garbage disposal:  GHMC workers sweep roads and burn the garbage because it’s easier than lifting it. Swachh Auto Trolley (SAT) doesn’t come regularly so residents dump garbage on streets or open plots.  Few people are not ready to pay Rs 100 to SAT vehicle leading to dumping on streets and later burning. Construction waste is being dumped in open plots and streets because there’s no one to question or fine them. SAT vehicles don’t separate wet waste and dry waste even if residents separate them. So, everything goes to landfill or burning. The government’s initiative of bin less city is not working at all. GHMC has installed bins on main roads for wet waste and dry waste recently. Nobody drops in those bins. But people drop in front of it.  We haven’t seen the smallest improvement in garbage disposal in the last 10 years. We only see that it’s getting worse and causing major pollution.
 
Open plots in residential colonies: GHMC shows little interest in open plots, with no efforts to collect taxes from plot owners. Neglected by these owners, these open spaces become breeding grounds for dumping and burning, creating unsanitary and hazardous conditions to the residents. 
 
Electricity:  Most colonies in the LB Nagar area face power fluctuations.  TSSPDCL is always busy in collecting electricity bills but no plans to resolve power fluctuations.  Recently a colony has seen power in neutral line.  TSSPDCL chops down plants and leave them on roads for weeks as no coordination with GHMC. 
 
Stray dogs and pigs: After the incident of 4-year old boy mauled to death by street dogs, GHMC has come up with a big action plan. But, we have seen zero improvements.  
 
Plantation:  Urban bio-diversity wing of GHMC plants saplings in colonies but they expect to grow without water and without protection.  Once plants die, they replant wasting huge amount of money.  
 
Public Transportation:  Number of city buses are becoming less and people are depending on share autos, uber and ola. Despite flyovers, LB Nagar X road has become a major traffic blockage as RTC buses stops at corner and blocks roads.  Buses going towards Vijayawada stop at LB Nagar X road and cause major traffic jams at night. A Bus bay is the need of the hour. 

 

 4.    Education

 

When you search for the best international schools in Hyderabad, the results predominantly feature institutions located in the western part of the city. Surprisingly, you won’t find a single reputable international school in LB Nagar. Why? It’s a reflection of the stark contrast in development – a tale of two sides, where progress has lavishly favored the west while LB Nagar continues to wait.

In LB Nagar, government schools are grappling with a fundamental crisis: inadequate facilities, including bathrooms, clean water, nourishment, and proper sanitation. Quality education seems a distant dream.

The education landscape in LB Nagar is far from encouraging. The prevailing focus in most schools is on pushing students to secure high grades rather than imparting genuine education. This narrative has remained unaltered for the past decade. The question that lingers is, when will this narrative evolve for the better?

With bad education, lower middle class and some middle-income class students are becoming drug addicts with no jobs at LB Nagar. 

There isn’t a single public library in the LB Nagar area with satisfactory facilities. Although a library was pledged for South End Park, it still exists solely as a promise. 

 5.    Parks and Sports Facilities

Again, google search for Hyderabad’s premier parks and sporting amenities, you’ll discover that there’s nothing to be found in the LB Nagar vicinity. There is an indoor stadium in Saroornagar, located in the LB Nagar area. However, if you attempt to enter, you’ll be surprisingly met with ‘no entry’ restrictions. 

While there were proposals and election manifestos promising to transform the Autonagar dumpsite into a splendid park, this vision still appears to be a far-off aspiration.

     While a few parks have been constructed along the Musi River in Uppal Bhagayat, they remain underutilized due to the unpleasant stench emanating from the river. Attempt to traverse the Musi River bridge without holding your nose, and you’ll be met with a grim reminder of the longstanding disaster that has afflicted Hyderabad. Despite allocating hundreds of crores of taxpayer funds for the rejuvenation and enhancement of the Musi River, there has been no discernible improvement for decades. Neither have Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) been constructed to contain the noxious odors and stench emanating from the river, nor has the issue’s root cause been addressed. The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) project, having suffered the setback of portions being washed away by floods and political opportunism consuming the allocated funds, has ultimately met an unfortunate demise.  

     After crores of taxpayers money spent, the Musi has emerged as the 22nd most polluted river in the world in terms of cumulative concentration of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are harmful to human, animal and plant health. Where did all the money go?

 6.    Huge dependency on political leaders than goverment officials

For their own benefit, politicians have orchestrated a situation wherein residents turn to them instead of government officials for every issue. The government has introduced multiple grievance redressal mechanisms, but residents opt for politicians, who subsequently wield influence over officials to expedite resolutions. Unfortunately, this process is slow and highly ineffective. Moreover, GHMC, HMWSSB, and TSSPDCL have failed to educate residents on how to utilize these grievance systems, leaving only a handful of informed and conscientious residents taking advantage of them.

 

Colony Residential welfare associations routinely approach the local corporator or MLA, as they serve as intermediaries to political figures. These leaders command government officials to approve projects like roads, waterworks, parks, building community halls, and other developments for colony associations aligned with their party or favoring them personally. This practice has led to disparities in the development of various colonies within the LB Nagar area. 

 Surprisingly, if any welfare association raise their voice, politicians are often disinclined to authorize any projects and may label them as antagonistic.

 Despite their intended independence, many welfare associations tend to purposefully align themselves with politicians to secure the development they desire.

With a single politician wielding extensive control, questions arise regarding the roles of senior officials. When will we witness a transformation? 

 7.    Health

Why LB Nagar is becoming a hub for most number of hospitals? This raises a pertinent question: is this a sign of development, or does it reflect a growing trend of declining health among the residents? No government initiatives for health in LB Nagar area.

8.    Safety and Security

Police still rules and they are not approachable. A resident feels very unsafe to go to a police station and raise any complaint freely.  Woman is still not safe on roads.  People spend a lot of time in providing security to their loved ones.  Woman returning to homes at night feel very unsafe.  

Limited number of CCTVs are provisioned in LB Nagar area. 

9.    Bureaucracy and Corruption

Persistent bureaucratic red tape and corruption remain significant impediments to the efficient delivery of public services. This conflict extends beyond government officials and politicians, as well as clashes among leaders from different political parties with their own individual agendas.

10.    Others

·       A significant conflict persists between government officials and politicians. While governments have the authority to impose fines on citizens for unlawful actions, this practice often encounters substantial pressure from politicians seeking to curtail it. Politicians frequently rally behind and support wrongdoers out of concern for losing their voter base. Consequently, unresolved issues persist as a significant challenge that requires immediate attention and resolution. Check how many fines are levied in different problem areas. 

·       The government’s promotion of an increased number of liquor shops is resulting in traffic congestion on the main roads of LB Nagar and causing nuisance during the evening hours. Ladies are scared to walk in these areas.

·       Lakes and public places are misused for alcohol consumption and properties are being vandalized. 

·       People are diverting sewage water and garbage into lakes.

·       Disregarding traffic regulations, violating numerous rules, and driving without adhering to guidelines.

·       Using high beams on vehicles at night, leading to accidents.

·       Spitting on roads and public thoroughfares.

·       Engaging in alcohol consumption and driving, resulting in accidents.

·       An environment where people seem to set their own rules, doing as they please, with no one to hold them accountable.

·       No environmental concerns for people or government. All festivals are becoming threats for environment.

·       Birthday parties on roads and public places leaves loads of trash.

 

 

Anticipating the emergence of a flourishing LB Nagar in the days ahead. Envisioning politicians and government officials taking these concerns earnestly and actively working to implement solutions that lead to the creation of a stronger and more prosperous LB Nagar.

ankamv@gmail.com
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