Hyderabad: Residents and traders along Mahboob Ki Mehendi in Hussaini Alam, near Charminar, have raised persistent concerns over open urination and poor sanitation along a busy stretch opposite the police headquarters and close to popular Ramzan eateries.Hussaini Alam, one of the historic neighbourhoods of the Old City, located near the iconic Charminar and the Telangana high court, witnesses heavy footfall, particularly during the ongoing Ramzan season. However, locals say the stretch, a few metres from City College and near well-known food outlets such as Al Farooj Sonu and Al Rahman, has remained neglected for over a decade.Mohd Shadab, a grocery store owner whose shop faces the affected stretch, said the foul stench has begun to disrupt daily life. “Thousands of people from nearby areas and outside use this stretch as an open urinal throughout the day. Some even urinate on parked vehicles. We installed makeshift sheets to block access, but they were removed by the GHMC and never properly maintained,” he said.Sanjay Rao, who runs a tile shop in the area, said residents have repeatedly attempted to address the issue themselves. “Within a 300-metre radius, there are public urinals, yet people continue to use this spot. We confronted offenders six or seven times and set up temporary barriers, but nothing has provided a lasting solution. There needs to be strict enforcement,” he said.He added that garbage trolleys stationed along the wall have further aggravated the situation, resulting in foul odour, pest infestations, and an unhygienic environment.Shop owners alleged that despite repeated complaints to the GHMC over several years, no permanent solution — such as the construction of a dedicated public urinal — has been implemented. They said two formal complaints were submitted in Aug and Sept last year, but no action has been taken so far.“The garbage trolleys remain parked in front of our shops, causing foul smells, attracting pests, and creating an unhygienic environment. This not only affects our business activities but also poses serious health risks to shop owners, residents, and customers visiting the area,” said Mohd Wahiuddin, a resident.
