Hyderabad: Fifteen families relocated from Shankar Nagar Colony are struggling to adapt to their new homes after their earlier residences were demolished by the Hyderabad Development and Regulatory Authority (HYDRA). The families were moved into 2BHK apartments at the Dignity Housing Corporation complex, but instead of a fresh start, they are facing significant challenges due to poor living conditions.
When the families moved into their new apartments, they were met with severe water leakage problems. Water has been pouring into the center of their homes, forcing residents to manually mop up the mess. Many are frustrated, as their belongings are being damaged, and no repairs have been made to address the issue.
“The water keeps leaking into our homes, and no one is here to help us with the repairs. It feels like we’ve been pushed from one problem to another,” said one of the residents.
The problems extend beyond water leakage. Broken windows have not been replaced, leaving the apartments exposed to wind and rain. Residents have described the conditions as unacceptable and far below the standards promised by the housing project. Instead of the “dignity” the project’s name suggests, many say the apartments resemble slum-like conditions.
Another major issue is the lack of basic facilities. Drinking water is accessible only from a single tap on the ground floor, and residents have to carry heavy containers up as many as nine flights of stairs to their apartments. The building’s elevators are not functioning, and the management has reportedly prohibited the use of elevators for transporting drinking water.
“I’m a senior citizen, and it’s impossible for me to carry water up to my apartment. The management doesn’t care about our basic needs,” shared another distressed resident.
Residents are also struggling with insufficient water for daily use. Hard water, which is only sporadically available in the washrooms, is not enough to meet their hygiene needs. This has left families grappling with basic tasks like bathing and cleaning.
Despite repeated complaints to the housing corporation and local authorities, there has been little action to improve the situation. “We were promised a better life, but this feels like a punishment. We don’t even have access to clean water or proper sanitation,” said another frustrated resident.
The dire living conditions have caught the attention of local activists and politicians, who are urging authorities to intervene immediately. They are calling for urgent repairs and adequate support for the displaced families.
For now, the residents of the Dignity Housing Corporation remain hopeful but increasingly desperate. Without swift action, the promise of a new beginning for these families may remain an unfulfilled dream.
