I’d not been to Hyderabad since 2 to 3 years and so, when the opportunity to visit/see the city presented itself, I jumped at the chance. However, I had limited personal time at my disposal and was closeted in a conference during the daytime which prevented me from verifying all the positive news that AP seems to be garnering these days on the growth and development front. Still, a couple of takeaways, via pics.

Exiting the Airport, several bold and brightly lit direction signs are visible for the tourist / traveller.

I had to contend with this news report the next day morning. Like all cities, there is terrible pollution via the thousands of vehicles that clog the roads & streets of hyderabad. The city itself was experiencing sweltering heat (’40’s, I think) not to mention the effect of the bomb blasts.

LIke our Nirmalya Toilets, the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad oversees public conveniences. Very good direction signs for users.

I was very pleased to see this sign. In Delhi, I’ve seen similar signs that declare “Zero Tolerance” but for traffic related issues.

Like the helpless BBMP here that cannot enforce punishment for defacing of public property, the MCH too seems to face the same woes!

I was staying very close to the Hussain Sagar Lake area and was very impressed with the all out effort to present a very clean environment in and around the lake. Take a look at these signs and the awareness that they raise.

The Lake itself presents an almost pristine look. Certainly, it does not emanate any bad smell. Neither did I see unemployed people fishing from its banks, like we can spot in the periphery of Ulsoor Lake here in Bangalore. The Lake Development Authority folks here can learn a lesson or two, for sure.

Let me take this opportunity to tell you folks also about my experience using Air Deccan for my travel this time around. Certainly, their fares were/are the cheapest and they make no bones about it. Capt. Gopinath also states in the preface to their inflight magazine that his carrier’s objective is to convert rail goers into flight users. Nothing wrong with that. But after experiencing the immaculate service & standards of Kingfisher recently and Jet Airways earlier, I was shocked to see the poor quality of maintenence standards on board Air Deccan. As an example, take a look at these seats – the first two on my onward flight and the last one, on my return! I also went through the hassle of delayed flights, bumpy landing and time wasted due to poor baggage arrivals on landing.