Date:10/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/10/stories/2008081060230800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Water-logging irks YSR

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy expressed “displeasure” over the Municipal Administration officials’ inaction in clearing the drains to avoid water-logging in different parts of the city.

“When the road in front of my camp office gets water-logged resulting in traffic jam, one can only imagine the situation in other areas,” he reportedly told the officials. Dr. Reddy is understood to have made these comments at a meeting convened to review the situation arising out of the incessant rain lashing the State in the last 48 hours.

The officials are learnt to have told the Chief Minister that the department had positioned staff in all areas where there was scope for water-logging. They admitted that the staff could not reach Begumpet, where the CM’s camp office is located, because of the traffic jam.

Dr. Reddy also expressed his unhappiness over the absence of the Energy and Roads & Buildings department officials at the meeting. The CMO officials, however, explained to Dr. Reddy that the meeting was called off all of a sudden and that some departments could not be invited because of the paucity of time.