Hyderabad:Two expansive open lands along Necklace Road in Tank Bund, under HMDA control and once used for community events and children’s play, have now turned into dumping grounds. Garbage, construction debris and broken furniture are being disposed of regularly, turning the area into a persistent eyesore.One of these sites lies directly opposite People’s Plaza. Formerly, the space not only provided parking but also hosted community activities, with local children playing there. Today, however, the ground is strewn with trash, broken items, dried-up trees and disorganised parked vehicles. Rainwater collects in potholes, making it difficult to walk or use the spaceM. Naresh, a long-time resident near People’s Plaza of over 40 years, recalled, “We used to park our cars here. It was clean and useful. Now, vehicles come at night to dump waste. The smell is heavy on this side, but it’s worse across the area. The trees that once flourished have dried up and died.”Another affected area is near the baby pond at Sanjeevaiah Park, which previously served as an immersion site during Ganesh Chaturthi. Today, the site is choked with dirty water and waste. Surrounding the pond, plastic covers, broken chairs and fallen palm tree trunks are carelessly dumped, further degrading the environment.These land parcels are being misused due to the lack of monitoring. Their condition has raised concerns among locals about mosquito infestations and other health hazards linked to the accumulation of garbage and stagnant water. Residents remain frustrated with the confusion and blame-shifting between GHMC and HMDA.When questioned about the Baby Pond site, GHMC officials stated that they only assume responsibility during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. “We arrange for portable ponds and manage clean-up during the festival. The land, however, belongs to HMDA, not GHMC,” an official explained. GHMC further claimed that while the Kattamaisamma Circle, their staff oversee festival-related cleaning, they were not aware of any regular maintenance issues.Conversely, HMDA officials confirmed that while the land is under their control, routine cleaning falls under GHMC’s remit during festivals. Both bodies, however, have yet to outline any concrete plans or timelines for addressing the persistent dumping.Environmental activist Babu Rao criticised both agencies for their failure to curb illegal dumping near residential areas. “Despite having contractors and scheduled pick-up systems, garbage continues to pile up. The problem is compounded by bribes and the lack of proper enforcement,” he said.Meanwhile, as trucks continue to dump waste at night, the area remains a stinking mess, and officials continue to pass the buck, leaving residents to suffer.
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