The once-quiet residential zone of Chaitanyapuri’s Kodandaram Nagar Colony has turned into a congested commercial corridor, leaving residents grappling with daily traffic jams, encroachments, and growing safety concerns.
Narrow 25-foot roads, originally built for limited residential use, are now overwhelmed by textile shops operating without permits or parking facilities. Prominent commercial outlets such as “Reddy Brothers” have occupied footpaths and road margins, severely restricting vehicle movement. Cars and two-wheelers parked along the lanes have further narrowed road space, sparking chaos during peak hours. Residents say the colony now mirrors the bustling Sultan Bazaar, once famed for its shopping congestion. Despite repeated complaints to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and traffic police, residents allege no substantial action has been taken. Officials reportedly dismiss the issue by citing the area’s residential zoning, enabling unregulated commercial growth to continue unchecked.
Local complaints have gone beyond traffic. Some residents, especially women, have raised concerns about the late-night behaviour of tailoring shop workers, many of whom are migrant labourers from Bihar and Chhattisgarh. Allegations include public nuisance and inappropriate behaviour in the evenings. The situation is further complicated by the lack of basic urban infrastructure. GHMC officials state that since there are no designated footpaths in the colony, they are unable to take action against encroachments. They have also shifted the responsibility of managing on-street parking to the traffic department, adding to the deadlock.
Frustrated with the prolonged neglect, residents are demanding immediate intervention. They have called for the removal of illegal shops, restoration of public space, and strict enforcement of urban planning norms. As Hyderabad’s urban sprawl expands, Chaitanyapuri stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked commercialisation in residential zones.
