Date:05/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090557940100.htm

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S.P. Singh takes over as GHMC chief

To give priority to overhaul of city’s civic infrastructure

S.P. Singh

HYDERABAD: The civic infrastructure of the capital, including roads, drains and sanitation, needs a complete overhaul and will be a major priority under his administration, said the new Commissioner and Special Officer of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), S.P. Singh, on Thursday.

Mr. Singh, who swapped positions with C.V.S.K. Sarma, in the latest official reshuffle, told presspersons in a brief chat on Thursday evening that development of slums and welfare of the weaker sections too would find focus.

He made a pointed mention of the repeated flooding of some areas during rain and gave assurance that an integrated drainage system would be taken up.

“Civic infrastructure has taken a battering due to the recent rain and we have to repair them on a war-footing,” he said. Providing potable drinking water was another important issue, he said while promising a “qualitative and equitable delivery system”.

Smooth transition

The Commissioner pointed out that he was involved in planning for the GHMC formation although Dr. Sarma put the plan into action building an administrative system and ensuring smooth transition of the corporation into a giant civic body.

Later, at a function organised to bid farewell to Dr. Sarma and to welcome him, Mr. Singh said he would continue the “good work” done by his predecessor.

Cooperation

Dr. Sarma thanked his staff for the cooperation extended to him and was confident that “defects” in the system would be corrected by his successor since he was the architect of GHMC.

Additional Commissioner (Planning & Projects) K. Dhananjaya Reddy and other senior officials lauded the services of the outgoing Commissioner and promised total support to the incumbent.