Hyderabad: Residents demand basti dawakhana in Ghansi Bazar Division

Located on the banks of Musi river, a stone's throw away from Telangana High Court, the Ghansi Bazar division (Ward No 49) which comes under Charminar constituency in Old Ciyt is spread over 2.5 sq. km area with a population of around 68,000 population out of which 52,207 are voters. It consists of major areas like Ghansi Bazar, Lad Bazar, Murgi Chowk, Petla Burj, Gulzar Houz, High Court road etc. and while 30 per cent of the division consists of slums, 25 per cent comprises commercial establishments. The division constitutes a mixed population with the majority belonging to Hindu community.

In the last 2016 GHMC elections, Renu Soni of BJP won the BC reserved (women) seat with 10,139 votes against Sameena Begum from AIMIM who received 9,280.

Major issues in the division

The major issues concerning the residents of Ghansi Bazar are lack of any kind of developmental works, several areas lack basic facilities and developments. The division has no Basti Dawakhana and Urban Primary Health Center. It has a history of civic issues like bad roads, contaminated water supply, severe sewage overflow, lack of parks or playgrounds, community halls and most of all poor sanitation. The garbage is not cleared for weeks giving rise to sanitation issues.

"Forget about roads and basic needs, the residents here are living without health centers and have been receiving contaminated water every week. The rivalry between the BJP and AIMIM parties has left the residents to forget about the developments," said Mohammed Ahmed, a social activist.

He said several major projects including the Charminar Pedestrian Project near Lad Bazar, installation of Hydraulic bollards is pending.

"Sanitation workers do not carry out sweeping of roads, manholes remain choked, damaged roads have not been repaired for years. Even after many complaints to the GHMC we are facing neglect. Due to lack of hygiene, the colony has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes," he added.

Sewage overflow issues are witnessed in the entire division because of the outdated drainage system. The concerned department should solve the problem permanently by replacing the system with a new one." said Ashok, a resident of Ghansi Bazar.

"Though the major part of the division constitutes commercial establishments, the areas lack proper roads without any parking space for customers. We market members have made several representations but all in vain," said Syed Akbar Ali, an owner of a readymade garment shop in Lad Bazar.