Residents flag crumbling roads, poor lighting in Karkhana’s Vasavi Nagar
HYDERABAD: Residents of Vasavi Nagar in Karkhana, under the Secunderabad Cantonment area, have alleged severe neglect of internal roads, citing potholes, blind bends, unmarked speed bumps and malfunctioning streetlights, as reported by TOI.
Roads Left Unmaintained for Years
Locals said authorities laid the roads nearly 15 years ago and have carried out little maintenance since then. As of early 2026, officials have made limited interventions despite repeated complaints from residents.
Stretches connecting residential colonies to schools, temples and markets have turned into uneven asphalt patches filled with craters. Two-wheeler riders face the worst impact, and several residents reported frequent skidding incidents, particularly at blind bends with poor visibility and poor lighting.
“The roads were laid around 15 years ago, and since then authorities have done virtually no maintenance. Many people have fallen from their bikes because of potholes and badly designed speed bumps,” said Ram Kumar, a resident of Shantideep Colony in Vasavi Nagar.
Unscientific Speed Breakers Add to Risk
Residents also criticised the placement and design of speed breakers. On certain stretches, contractors installed 10 to 15 speed bumps within a short distance, most without reflective paint or warning signage.
“A small stretch of road here has 10 to 15 speed bumps, most of them without any reflective paint or signage. It is dangerous, especially at night,” Ram Kumar added.
Residents said several speed breakers exceed the prescribed height and lack proper levelling. As a result, low-clearance vehicles frequently scrape their undercarriages.
Poor Lighting Worsens Safety Concerns
Malfunctioning and dim streetlights further increase the risk for motorists and pedestrians.
Sharma, a temple priest from Laxmi Nagar who commutes daily for rituals and community events, described the situation as alarming.
“This is not just an inconvenience; it is a safety issue. Devotees, elderly residents and children use these roads every day. With blind bends, broken patches and no proper lighting, accidents are waiting to happen. We have raised concerns repeatedly, but authorities have not taken concrete action so far,” he said.
Residents Seek Immediate Intervention
Residents attributed the deteriorating condition to prolonged neglect. They said contractors carried out patchwork repairs occasionally, but the temporary fixes disintegrated within weeks.
As vehicular traffic continues to increase in these residential areas, pressure on the ageing road infrastructure has intensified.
When contacted, an engineering official from the civic body said higher authorities must issue directions before officials take up the work.
“As of now, we have no proposals or instructions regarding these particular stretches. We will act once higher officials issue directions,” he said.
For residents of Vasavi Nagar and Karkhana, the wait for comprehensive repairs continues.
