Pakala, Tirupati District: For the residents of LBS Nagar in Pakala, every spell of rain brings fear instead of relief. Even a brief shower is enough to flood the streets, leaving stagnant rainwater mixed with sewage outside homes and turning daily life into a nightmare. According to local residents, this has been an unresolved problem for nearly 15 years, with no lasting solution despite repeated appeals to the authorities.
Promises During Elections, Silence Afterwards
Residents allege that political leaders visit every doorstep during election campaigns seeking votes but disappear when it comes to addressing long-standing civic issues. They say the drainage and waterlogging problem has been brought to the attention of Gram Panchayat officials and public representatives several times over the past decade and a half. Despite numerous complaints and even on-site demonstrations of the situation, they claim no meaningful action has been taken.
Roads Turn Into Ponds After Every Rain
The absence of a proper stormwater drainage system has left LBS Nagar highly vulnerable to flooding. Residents say that even moderate rainfall causes water to accumulate across the streets, making movement difficult. The situation worsens when sewage mixes with rainwater, creating unhygienic conditions in front of homes.
In several instances, floodwater has reportedly entered houses, forcing families to spend sleepless nights trying to protect their belongings. Commuting for work, school, or emergencies becomes extremely difficult whenever it rains, they added.
Health Risks on the Rise
The stagnant water has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising concerns about the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Residents fear that children, elderly people, and women are the worst affected by the unhygienic environment. They urge the concerned departments to improve sanitation and strengthen the drainage infrastructure before the situation worsens.
“Are We Paying Taxes for This?”
Questioning the lack of basic civic amenities, residents ask whether taxpayers should be forced to live under such conditions despite regularly paying taxes. They argue that the recurring problem reflects a serious failure in civic administration and wonder why no permanent measures have been taken despite the issue persisting for 15 years.
Residents Warn of Protest
The people of LBS Nagar have appealed to the district administration and Gram Panchayat officials to immediately inspect the area and assess the situation firsthand. They are demanding the construction of a permanent drainage network, proper stormwater channels, and cement roads wherever necessary to prevent future flooding.
Residents have warned that if authorities continue to ignore their grievances and fail to begin development works immediately, they will be left with no option but to stage a protest in front of the Gram Panchayat office.
As another rainy season exposes the same unresolved problems, residents are asking a simple question: How much longer must they endure these hardships before they receive the basic infrastructure every citizen deserves?
