Residents of Surya Nagar colony in Shaikpet have decided to withhold property tax payments due to inadequate civic services, intending to redirect these funds towards neighbourhood improvements. Despite being an award-winning HUDA layout, the area now suffers from poor infrastructure, including pothole-ridden roads and sewage issues. Community leaders are prepared to fund necessary repairs themselves if local authorities remain unresponsive. The GHMC has allocated INR 70 lakh for new road construction, with work expected to begin soon.
Residents of Surya Nagar colony in Shaikpet, frustrated by the lack of civic work in their area, have decided to withhold their property tax payments. First reported by ET Realty, the residents plan to redirect those funds towards improving their neighbourhood. The colony, comprising 500 homes with an average tax payment of INR 10,000 each, was once celebrated as an exemplary HUDA layout, having won first prize for the best park on two occasions. However, residents now lament its decline, often referring to it jokingly as a posh slum, while voicing concerns about issues such as poor roads, sewage overflow, and rampant illegal constructions.
With a population of 5,000, the colony has struggled with infrastructure problems for years. Asif Sohail Hussain, president of the Jubilee Hills constituency colonies forum, indicated that residents are prepared to pool their tax money to improve the roads and sewage network if civic authorities remain unresponsive. Despite their diligence in paying property taxes, as well as electricity and water bills, they continue to endure substandard living conditions.
Residents have described the colony's streets as perilous; filled with potholes and cracks. They claim to have repeatedly made requests to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) but they have gone unheard. Another major concern is the poor sewage system that often overflows, exacerbating road conditionsand bringing frequent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
An executive engineer from GHMC's Jubilee Hills division stated that INR 70 lakh has been allocated for the construction of new CC roads in Surya Nagar. The contract for this work is expected to be awarded shortly, with construction set to commence soon to improve road conditions in the area.
The residents of Surya Nagar are taking a stand for better living conditions in their community, illustrating the need for effective civic engagement. With local authorities finally acknowledging the infrastructure issues, there is hope that the allocated funds will lead to significant improvements. If the upcoming construction project is successful, it could mark a positive turning point for this once-celebrated colony.
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