Congress promises free water, piped gas

Hyderabad, Jan 24 (INN): The Congress party has promised to provide free drinking water and supply piped cooking gas to every household if it wins Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.

Speaking after releasing the party's manifesto for GHMC election, TPCC President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would provide safe, protected and free water to every household in the GHMC. "With the long term of increase the water table, rain water and roof water harvesting will be actively promoted. At select points across the GHMC, free drinking water supply of homeless, migrant labour, construction workers and other needy would be established," he said.

Stating that the present sewage system in Hyderabad was established during Nizam rule when the city's population was 5 lakh, he said that the previous Congress Governments improved the system by increasing it to a 2,400 KM length of sewerage lines. He said that the present was inadequate and unable to take care of the full load. Therefore, it will be further planned and expanded. He said that the sewerage system would be upgraded with latest and world class technologies to cater to the needs of Hyderabad for another 25 years. "We will make Hussainsagar Lake and Musi River pollution free by setting up STPs on all Nalas flowing into them. We will introduce mechanised system to handle overflow of garbage right up to small lanes and gulls," he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said entire garbage and waste of GHMC would be used to generate electricity. "Existing power cable and transmission system will be replaced by underground cables to ensure hassle free and 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. In order to make Hyderabad a Solar City, we will provide subsidised roof-top solar system to the extent 100% for slum dwellers and 50% for middle-class," he said. The Congress party made a total of 28 major promises in its manifesto.

The TPCC chief said that the GHMC's next year budget would be of Rs. 6,300 crore and it would be sufficient to develop the city. He alleged that the TRS Government has failed to develop Hyderabad during the last 19 months. He also listed out the achievements of previous Congress regime from 2004 to 2014.

Congress senior leaders including Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir and ex-Mayor Banda Karthika Chandra Reddy were also present.