Delay in widening of internal roads, creation of drainage system irk traders, people

Delays in road widening and underground drainage works in Mancherial are affecting traders, commuters and residents. Loose earth, debris and deep trenches have disrupted traffic and business activity, while allegations have surfaced that work is being deliberately slowed in some areas

Mancherial: Widening of internal roads in Mancherial town and creation of an underground drainage system are being delayed, causing inconvenience to traders and the public alike.

The widening of various internal roads was taken up to ease traffic congestion and meet the future needs of the growing population in January at an estimated cost of Rs 78 crore. Stretches identified for the widening project were from Bellampalli Chowrasta to Mancherial railway station, IB Chowk to Srinivas Gardens, Railway Station to the flyover on College Road, Vishwanatha Temple to Venkateshwara Theatre and Bhashyam School to Mancherial Police Station.

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Many commercial establishments, residential buildings and other structures were affected due to the expansion of the stretches situated in the market area. Traffic diversions were imposed to avoid snarls on these stretches and ensure smooth execution of the work. Trenches were dug alongside the roads to lay the drainage system. The widening work is being executed jointly by the Municipal Corporation, NPDCL and other departments.

However, almost all the internal roads of the bustling town are now covered with loose earth and debris from buildings, affecting the movement of traffic. The trenches are posing a threat to people using the roads to buy groceries, vegetables and fruits, and to reach their destinations every day. Hapless commercial establishments are forced to arrange temporary bridges across the trenches using iron stands for the convenience of customers.

It is traders who are bearing the brunt of the sluggish pace of the work. “Sales of groceries, apparel, jewellery, meat and other commodities have plummeted, with customers struggling to visit the stores. Forget profits, we are barely managing to pay monthly rentals. Businesses were already affected by the slump in the real estate sector,” a trader regretted.

Similarly, motorists are forced to navigate through heaps of loose earth on the roads. No one is venturing out on these roads because of the deep trenches on either side, and autorickshaw drivers are reluctant to enter the market area. Parking cars and two-wheelers on these roads has become a daunting task.

When asked, Municipal Corporation Mayor Anwesh said that an action plan had been chalked out to complete the work on the roads within six months. Work on the drainage system would be completed in a month or two. Efforts are being made to avoid inconvenience to people and traders. Steps are also being taken to prevent traffic snarls on the roads, he explained.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that the work is intentionally being dragged on for months at certain commercial establishments that backed the BRS in the 2023 Assembly elections. It is further alleged that local MLA K Premsagar Rao nurses a grudge against a section of traders who supported the candidature of his rival N Diwakar Rao of the BRS in the elections.