The Hindu       10.11.2014 

‘Civic body has given city a base to take great strides’

Suave and sophisticated, Mohammed Majid Hussain has lent a certain dignity to the chair of Hyderabad’s first citizen. As the Mayor, he has taken along elected representatives and officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to register good revenue growth for the civic body and has ushered in plans to improve amenities in the city. “Hyderabad is poised for great strides with the base that we have successfully provided in the last three years,” Mohammed Majid Hussain tells T. Lalith Singh .

What have been the achievements of the civic body in the last three years?

We have provided financial stability to the civic body which helps it in planning projects (small and big) for the city in a better way. From a mere Rs. 300 crore three years back, the property tax collections have risen beyond Rs. 1,000 crore. In all aspects, we have placed the GHMC in a position where it can focus on development and provide better amenities for the citizens.

When I took the reins, fund crunch used to be an obstacle in conceiving and implementing policies or projects. But the civic body could overcome it in my term and that gives me immense satisfaction.

Is the civic body able to live up to the aspirations of the citizens?

Look, citizens get what the GHMC provides. The civic body is definitely able to provide better amenities to the citizens now. In fact, I can proudly say that we are doing much better than most others in the country. Despite few glitches, our roads and sanitation system are far ahead of other cities.

But city roads get clogged during rains and garbage is not really handled well?

Yes, I concede the need for improvement in these issues. Hyderabadis have every right to demand better roads and sanitation. I assure that roads are going to be improved further with comprehensive road development work taken up at a cost of Rs. 700 crore. Also, plans are in right direction for garbage collection and disposal and the results can be seen in the coming days.

There are complaints regarding water bodies and greenery being neglected in the city?

Complaints will be there and I take every complaint seriously. But let me put this on record that the city has registered more action with regard to conserving lakes and increasing green cover during my tenure. Hyderabad has been known for its water bodies and green cover and there won’t be any compromise in improving these. Our efforts have yielded results in protection of 78 lakes and the bio-diversity index has gone up.

As the Mayor, how has been your rapport with corporators and officials?

(Laughs aloud) I must be the only Mayor whose resignation was rejected unanimously. That shows how good my rapport has been with all. I share a good relation with all and have taken them along in my pursuit of developing the city.

How do you look back at your tenure as Mayor?

I feel happy and satisfied at having delivered the goods. My term had the city playing host to global events such as CoP-11 and World Metropolis Congress. I am satisfied that I could implement the policies of my party (MIM). And, we also sought to bring more cheer for the citizens with last week’s decision to waive off property tax for those paying the tax up to Rs. 4,000. It will be a big relief for the poor, lower middle and middle class sections.