Civic Apathy Chokes Hyderabad Old City as Garbage Crisis Deepens
The old city of Hyderabad, known for its rich heritage and bustling localities, is now in the spotlight for a different reason—unchecked garbage accumulation and deteriorating sanitation. Key areas such as Doodh Bowli, Vattepally, Chandulal Baradari, Bagh Amjed Dowla, Jahanuma, Aghapura, Mallepally, Nashemannagar, and Falaknuma are increasingly being overshadowed by mounds of rotting waste, exposing a severe civic governance failure. Despite repeated appeals from residents, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has failed to implement a consistent waste management strategy, leaving local communities grappling with foul odours, health hazards, and environmental degradation. Social media platforms have become a battleground for frustrated citizens, with videos and pictures showcasing the appalling conditions in their localities. While Hyderabad boasts of being a modern urban hub, its older quarters continue to suffer from an alarming lack of basic civic hygiene, highlighting a glaring disparity in urban management.
The impact of this crisis is palpable on the ground, with complaints pouring in from various neighbourhoods. Near the Falaknuma post office, residents navigate streets littered with waste, while at Bagh Amjad Dowla, even religious sites have turned into dumping grounds. “Locals have to bear the overpowering stench from rotting trash, and the situation worsens during monsoons,” lamented Habeeb Uddin, a resident of Falaknuma. In some areas, garbage is set on fire due to the lack of timely collection, causing air pollution and fire hazards. The civic failure also raises serious health concerns, as waste accumulation leads to mosquito breeding, respiratory ailments, and water contamination, disproportionately affecting children and the elderly. A stark comparison can be drawn with cities like Indore, which has pioneered municipal waste management, whereas Hyderabad’s historic precincts remain trapped in administrative neglect.
From a sustainability perspective, the unchecked garbage crisis poses long-term environmental risks. Improper disposal of waste, particularly plastic and organic refuse, contributes to soil and water contamination. Hyderabad, a city aiming to become a smart and sustainable urban centre, cannot afford to overlook the environmental cost of its civic mismanagement. Experts suggest that integrated waste management solutions, such as segregation at source, efficient door-to-door collection, and decentralised waste processing, are crucial to addressing this crisis. The GHMC’s current sporadic approach to garbage clearance, where waste is collected infrequently, is not a sustainable solution. Instead, lessons can be drawn from Bengaluru’s decentralised dry waste collection system, which has significantly reduced urban waste mismanagement. If Hyderabad does not prioritise sustainable waste disposal, it risks further deterioration in air quality and public health, affecting its global standing as a livable city.
The failure to maintain basic civic hygiene in Hyderabad’s heritage-rich localities exposes a deeper urban governance gap. Residents are demanding that higher municipal officials visit these areas and enforce a structured waste collection mechanism. “We are willing to cooperate with GHMC to maintain cleanliness, but authorities must act,” said Shahed, a resident of Chandulal Baradari, where waste piles persist near a government school. The old city’s historical and commercial significance makes it imperative for authorities to implement smart urban planning measures that cater to both modern sustainability needs and heritage conservation. If ignored, the garbage crisis could further alienate residents and businesses, deepening civic disengagement and declining urban living standards. Hyderabad’s progress cannot be measured merely by its IT corridors—its true urban success lies in ensuring that even its oldest quarters are liveable, hygienic, and sustainable.
