Will save city from monsoon: Krishna Babu

Hyderabad, June 20 (INN): For the citizens, the promise made by new Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner MT Krishna Babu that he would ensure that the city roads would not be overflowing, nor would they be waterlogged during the monsoon season has come as a major relief.

However, the words, spoken before media persons after Mr Krishna Babu took charge from Dr Sameer Sharma on Monday, would be taken with a pinch of salt by the people who had long been suffering not only due to the overflowing drains, but also potholes big enough to be called craters and waterlogged roads which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

'My first priority would be to ensure that the people do not suffer due to water logging, overflowing drains and the mosquito menace. To take care of overflowing drains we would clean the sewerage system and desilt the Nalas on emergency basis since the monsoon has already set in,' Mr Krishna Babu promised.

He further promised that the GHMC would ensure that garbage is lifted every day from all areas within the Corporation's limits. 'The accumulated garbage, if not lifted in time, leads to the breeding of germs and insects, which in turn lead to disease. Hence garbage lifting would be among our priorities,' Mr Krishna Babu said.

He further promised that the pre-monsoon desilting works would be completed well before the monsoon sets in next year. Mr Krishna Babu added that in the event of heavy rains lashing the city, he would not hesitate to seek the help of APCPDCL, HMWSSB, the Fire Department and the Health Department and seek their cooperation.

Admitting that the job was a challenge to him, the new GHMC Commissioner said that he would take the help of his officials and the Corporators to ensure that he lives up to the expectations of the people of Hyderabad.

'We will not compromise on the quality infrastructure and ensure that it is of the highest possible standard. As former chairman of APCPDCL, we used to collaborate with the Administrative Staff College of India and students of private engineering Colleges to randomly test the different works undertaken by that Corporation. This led to the improvement of services. I would try and implement the same procedure to ensure that the citizens get the best possible civic infrastructure,' Mr Krishna Babu promised.

He further said that, 'Hyderabad is among the top five cities of the country. The problems it faces are minor, but challenging at the same time. As part of meeting this challenge, we would focus on improving Citizen Service Centres.'

The GHMC Commissioner added that around Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore would be set apart to improve the Citizen Service Centres. Mr Krishna Babu also said that the GHMC would focus on streamlining its revenue generation.

Speaking earlier, outgoing GHMC Commissioner Sameer Sharma said that the project to assign new numbers to houses will start within the next two to three days in Circle 8 and 9. 'After the new numbers are allotted, Rs 50 would be collected from each house in the Circles as part of the expenses,' he added.

Dr Sameer Sharma also disclosed that his stint as GHMC Commissioner saw his effort to reduce the Corporations expenses meet success. 'We succeeded in bringing down the advertising expenses by about Rs 28 lakh each month,' he disclosed. 'This was possible by clubbing advertisements,' Dr Sameer Sharma added.

'Besides this, we have started a process to streamline the transportation system. This would produce good results in the future,' he added.

Meanwhile, citizens of Greater Hyderabad keep their fingers crossed that the new Commissioner's stated mission to provide them the services which is their right do not end up remaining mere words.

It may be remembered that the constant 'war' between the former Commissioner and the Corporators had led to the people being the ultimate sufferers.