The Times of India 27.09.2010
Civic issues: CM takes officials to task
HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Rosaiah on Sunday directed the officials of GHMC, MA&UD, health department, Water Board, Traffic Police and collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts to initiate necessary steps on a war footing to prevent inundation of low lying areas and colonies, remove traffic bottlenecks and prevent spread of epidemics.
Reviewing the situation following unprecedented rains in the city and surrounding areas with ministers, mayor and top officials of various departments, the chief minister grilled the officials over the measures they were taking to resolve these problems. “One heavy shower and the life in city goes haywire. What measures are you taking to resolve them,” he asked the ministers and the mayor.
The officials said in addition to the heavy rains, the steep increase in the number of vehicles was causing problems. 64,000 four wheelers were added in the last few months, they said. The chief minister asked the traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city by taking up junction improvements, reducing right turns, speeding up road widening works, restricting parking on main roads, reducing traffic stoppage for VIP movements to the minimum after reviewing it by the G A D, etc.
He directed the collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts not to compromise on drain widening with the help and involvement of people’s representatives.
Rosaiah agreed to a proposal to bring in a new law to protect the lakes and nallas in the city and surrounding areas from encroachments. The officials informed the chief minister that all tanks in and the surrounding areas of the city like Kukatpally, Meerpet, Saroornagar, etc. are full and further rains will inundate the nearby areas and thus many unauthorised dwellings will be in danger. It was decided that the empowered committee should come up with a comprehensive law to protect the lakes and nallahs.
