The Hindu             02.12.2013

GHMC to focus on Old City

At last things are looking up in the Old City. The GHMC has drawn up plans to give a much needed facelift to roads here. Plans are also on the anvil to repair and restore street lights, clear clogged drains and garbage. GHMC South Zone Commissioner N. Ravi Kiran lists out the priorities in a chat with Asif Yar Khan

There are complaints of delay in taking up road repairs in colonies.

The problem is on account of lack of coordination between different agencies taking up developmental works. The GHMC has re-laid the roads where more than sixty percent of stretch was damaged due to road cutting.

What about the condition of roads on the thoroughfares in the south of the city?

The road conditions in this part of the city are better compared to other areas. The corporation is also taking up road repairs on stretches identified by the traffic police although a few stretches like High Court to Aramgarh and Chaderghat come under the purview of National Highways Authority of India while the Inner Ring Road from Owaisi Hospital to Attapur and even the Charminar to Falaknuma road is maintained by the Roads and Buildings Department. There are proposals to develop the road stretch from Owaisi Hospital to Aramgarh via Chandrayangutta at a cost of Rs. 40 crore. The works will include street lighting, pavements, tree plantations and road works.

Any plans to take up beautification works?

We are already working on developing parks along the walks. In addition to developing the centuries-old Gulzar Houz, new fountains are installed at Owaisi Hospital junction, Chaderghat rotary, Darulshifa and Falaknuma. There are also proposals to take up plantation on roadsides in residential colonies.

What about complaints with regard to defunct and non-functional street lights?

We take up repair works periodically. Modern streetlights have been provided on roads that are 60 feet wide.

Any plan to address the mounting garbage problem?

Garbage clearance is a mammoth task with people liberally disposing it at road sides and open plots. People can also contact the officials if there are any specific complaints in this regard.

How about widening of nalas?

The widening of nalas is a big exercise and is underway. Works have already been taken up in Edi Bazaar, Lalithabagh, Azampura and other areas while at a few places it will be taken up soon. Likewise about 80 per cent of the storm water drain line works at Tadban and Kalapather have been completed, bringing down complaints of inundation of houses in those areas.

Is the corporation replacing the storm water lines?

Yes. The decades old storm water drain lines are being replaced in many localities with huge pipes keeping in view the growth in population. The task is Herculean as in many localities the roads are less than 20 feet wide and the storm water drain is to be laid without disturbing the drinking water and drainage lines.