Urban News

Source : The Hindu Date : 24.06.2009

Ilambarthi takes over as Municipal Commissioner

Staff Reporter

GUNTUR: Municipal Commissioner K. Ilambarthi took charge on Tuesday and immediately made public his priorities -- ensuring access to drinking water and improving sanitation and garbage collection. The new Commissioner also said that top priority would be given to addressing issues relating to the people and assured that he would be accessible to residents of the city at all times.

The incumbent exuded confidence that the Guntur city would get a face-lift with liberal central funding to the tune of Rs.500 crores with which the GMC could take up works relating to putting in place a comprehensive Under Ground Drainage (UGD) system and drinking water project.

Financial condition

Earlier, Mr. Ilambarthi was given a briefing by outgoing Municipal Commissioner Siddharth Jain over the state of affairs in the corporation. Mr. Jain appraised the new Commissioner of the financial condition of the corporation, which was pulled back from the brink by assiduous financial management and the functioning of various departments.

Mr. Jain, who took over as Municipal Commissioner in July 2007, had just meagre finances of Rs.82, 891 (current account) and with liabilities over Rs.30 crores, but managed to achieve a turnaround by augmenting revenue collection.

The GMC has given sanction for 832 works worth Rs.35.15 crores during 2008-2009, out of which 544 works with an amount of Rs.16.08 crores were completed.

In the year 2009-2010, the GMC has given sanction for 70 works at a cost of Rs.3.46 crores, out of which 20 works were at tendering stage.

“The financial condition of the GMC is very sound and I am confident that Mr. Ilambarthi will continue the good work and delivery of public services,” Mr. Jain said.

In a touching gesture, Mr. Ilambarthi escorted Mr. Jain till the car and bade him good bye.

Source : The Hindu Date : 24.06.2009

SCB drinking water woes to end

Staff Reporter

Hyderabad: Residents of Secunderabad cantonment can hope to be delivered from shortage of drinking water which has been hounding them for quite some time.

Though the Secunderabad Cantonment Board’s (SCB) has an agreement with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) to supply 37 lakh gallons of water a day, only 27 lakh gallons a day was being released.

The water is distributed to the eight wards once in two to three days through various pump houses at Balamrai, Bowenpally, Gun Bazaar, Railway Colony, Mahendra Hills, Gunrock Enclave and Rudranagar at Lothkunta.

“We are trying to get the required amount of water to be supplied to residents. We are also looking at condition of pump houses and if need be, new pumps will be installed so that there is no delay in supplying drinking water to the residents,” assured SCB’s new Chief Executive Officer C. Ravindra.

Along with proper water supply, the CEO is making plans for ‘incremental changes of betterment’ of other civic amenities and also ‘beautification’ of the area in time to come. Work is to begin on revamping road junctions and setting up streetlights on main thoroughfares.

Parks

Mr. Ravindra said that new areas will be identified and developed into parks along with the help of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. Existing parks will be given a helping hand in maintenance . He also assured that encroachment of park lands will be reviewed and more cases will be booked under the Public Premises Prevention of Unauthorised Occupation Act. A few cases have already been booked. The CEO said he would have a fresh look into the contentious revised property tax and changes will be made accordingly.