Serilingampally, a swanky showpiece of Telangana’s progress

Hyderabad's Serilingampally is a vibrant mix of modernity and tradition, with towering structures, ancient rock formations, and a diverse population. The constituency is home to prestigious educational institutions and boasts of initiatives like free 'She shuttles' for working women. With Arekapudi Gandhi from BRS, V. Jagadeeshwar Goud of Congress, and Ravi Kumar Yadav of BJP in the fray, the voters have a decisive role to play.

Serilingampally, Hyderabad’s eye candy, boasts towering glass and chrome structures that sparkle in the night, alongside multi-level flyovers, glamorous malls, the enchanting lights of Durgam Cheruvu Bridge, numerous lakes, and ancient rock formations that are billions of years old. This constituency, the largest numerically with 7,32,506 voters, extends from Wattingala Palli in the west to the existence of a place like Beverly Hills (yes, you read that right) in the east. It reaches from Khajaguda in the South to HMT Colony in the North.

“We championed the cause of Telangana, fasting in its pursuit. While past leaders pledged development, K. Chandrasekhar Rao has truly delivered. But it would be better if my job is regularised and my salary is increased. That would be perfect,” says S. Rukmini, a contract worker at the Serilingampally Municipal Corporation office. For Gopinagar’s resident, a vote for Telangana means a vote for BRS.

Just off the road leading to Chandanagar, a multistoried residential complex is taking shape across from the municipal office. Each apartment in this development is priced between ₹1.36 crore and ₹1.77 crore. Two decades ago, the very spot hosted a lake. Now, the lake is a mere remnant, overshadowed by a vast colony of low houses on the opposite side. Drainage and sewage flow into the diminished lake, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes as residents sit outside their homes. The walled compound of Papireddy Nagar’s Community Hall hosts tethered buffaloes and serves as home to a workforce engaged in low-wage jobs and miscellaneous errands, contributing to the local economy.

Yedukondalu, a resident of Papireddy Nagar, earns a living by ironing clothes in the Gulmohur Colony. He shares, “Our community holds around 150 votes, and my family contributes about 20 votes. Unfortunately, none of us has received the 2-BHK dignity house. Despite providing all the required details and being summoned to the municipal office, we were denied entry to the room as our names were not on the list.” Yedukondalu’s family, originally from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, now considers Hyderabad home, much like thousands of others in the constituency.

The Assembly constituency hosts prestigious educational institutions such as the University of Hyderabad, International Institute of Information and Technology, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, and B.R. Ambedkar Open University. Additionally, it is the location of upscale private schools like Oakridge International School and Chirec International School. In close proximity, approximately 50 metres from the Sancta Maria International School, stands ZPHS Serilingampally. The school building is currently undergoing development, with a new block in the construction phase.

Suryakant, who runs a small kirana shop in Chandanagar, reveals, “I am currently paying ₹2,400 as school fees for my two children in a local school. While the school isn’t top-notch, it is still a preferable choice over the government school. Improving the quality of government schools would significantly ease our lives,” emphasising the need for enhanced educational facilities.

According to a poll pamphlet from the BRS party, ₹14 crore has been invested in enhancing school education infrastructure in the constituency through the Mana Ooru Mana Badi programme.