The Hindu 03.05.2013
De-silting of stormwater drains by month-end
Mayor Mohd. Majid Hussain and GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu, who undertook a joint inspection of storm water drains de-silting work in the Old City on Thursday, directed engineers overseeing the work to see that all the works are completed by the month-end.
More men and machinery should be pressed into service to complete the de-silting works well before the monsoon sets in, they said. Chief Engineer Suresh Kumar was asked to put up chain-link mesh around the drains passing through the locations of Gowliguda, Imlibun, Yakutpura, Moinbagh,Chandrayangutta, Phoolbagh and Falaknuma.
The duo also noted the slow progress of culvert works at Hafeezbabanagar and called for speedier works. The municipal officials concerned have also been urged to take up with the APSRTC the issue of dumping garbage and other waste material in the storm water drains near the Gowliguda depot..
Earlier, Mr. Krishna Babu stated that all the road restoration works will be completed by May 20, but refused to entertain any requests for digging new borewells in the core city considering the precarious situation of groundwater level.
The Commissioner also got in touch with the Water Board chief and requested him to increase the frequency of free drinking water tankers in the areas facing acute water shortage. Time schedule of the tankers visits can be publicised in three languages, he said.. The government’s permission was also sought to de-silt the Afzalsagar drain as it was not among the drains currently being de-silted. Two vehicles are also being stationed in each circle for lifting of debris removal following a plea from the corporators concerned, he said.
Nampally MLA Mohd. Virasat Rasool Khan urged the Commissioner to take up the issue of road widening near the Intermediate Board office as the issue has been pending for the last three years.
