Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Time for some action

Last week's rain reminded administrators and policymakers about the danger the city is facing due to encroachments on the nalas leading to Hussainsagar and from it towards Musi. Some of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) officials have been trying to focus on the issue for the last five years yet nothing was done.

In fact, last year there was this spectacle of the Minister concerned categorically stating that encroachments couldn't be removed since huge constructions had come up encroaching the space provided for smooth flow of water especially during heavy rain.

Though the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has been asking officials not delay the work any further, there is scepticism among officials.

"For this year there is little we can do. Political will is needed to touch big time encroachers," a senior official of the corporation admitted.

One spell of heavy rain forced the State Government to dust the encroachment file. Looks like only another spell will spring it into some serious action.

V.Geetanath

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