MCH drive to remove encroachments on footpaths

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 21. The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and the traffic police will take up a joint drive to remove encroachments on footpaths in the twin cities. The drive is being launched following complaints from public, Dr. P.K. Mohanty, MCH Commissioner, has stated.

Speaking to presspersons after a visit by the City-level Coordination Committee to some areas in Secunderabad today, he said the MCH was keen to provide eight-feet wide footpaths on roads like S.P. Road. Dr. Mohanty renewed his offer of paying Rs. 1 lakh to such persons who agree to shift pan shops and temples.

The MCH Commissioner regretted the fact that the city ranked next only to Calcutta in having the least available road space. He revealed that road-widening work of an estimated 690 km would be taken up during the coming summer for which a cell was established in the MCH. A Rs. 55-crore plan to widen 100 roads was ready. Initially, work pertaining to 55 roads would be taken up.

The Corporation is planning to give details of the road-widening works to people in an effort to get their cooperation. He appealed to owners of commercial properties and shop-keepers to come forward and apply for road-widening as done by those in Ameerpet.

The MCH was against conversion of residential premises into commercial establishments without regularisation and payment of the stipulated fee. Owners of such properties should take permission within 15 days, Dr. Mohanty stated. The Commissioner who pulled up representatives of Tata Teleservices for digging a long stretch on M.G. Road directed all departments connected with the digging work to settle claims within a week.

He directed officials of the R&B Department and the National Highways to permit road-cutting only if there was a proper alignment. "Be merciless if there is wrong cutting", he told them. He said 1,800 world class poles would be erected to provide modern lighting in the city. Eight roads in Secunderabad would have this facility, he added.

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Section  : Southern States
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