TS will take agitation path, if Centre remains irresponsive: KTR

Hyderabad: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao expressed his displeasure over the lack of response from the Centre to the State government’s pleas over urban infrastructure development in Hyderabad. He stated that due to the Centre’s unresponsiveness, the Army authorities in the Cantonment areas were acting as per their whims and wishes […]

Hyderabad: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao expressed his displeasure over the lack of response from the Centre to the State government’s pleas over urban infrastructure development in Hyderabad. He stated that due to the Centre’s unresponsiveness, the Army authorities in the Cantonment areas were acting as per their whims and wishes as if they are running a parallel government, denying the citizens access to basic infrastructure.

Speaking to mediapersons at the office of Commissioner and Director for Municipal Administration (CDMA) here on Saturday, Rama Rao said the Centre was not giving any additional funds to Telangana than those which were released as a Constitutional obligation through devolution of taxes. “Those in the Central government has a mental block or have an unknown aversion towards Telangana. The Centre funded entire Bengaluru Metro Rail project, but has not extended similar facility to Hyderabad Metro Rail, despite our repeated requests. Similarly, though Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar and myself have repeatedly submitted representations, there has been no progress in handing over the defence properties in Secunderabad Cantonment area to improve urban infrastructure,” he said.

The Minister had strongly objected to the attitude of the Army authorities towards their civilians living in the Cantonment area and surrounding areas. He stated that the Army officials were behaving as if they were running a parallel government in Hyderabad. He reminded that there has been no response to hand over defence lands for urban infrastructure development including skyways in Secunderabad area. He reminded that the routes of Paradise-Kompally and Patny-Shamirpet have become too congested, posing a challenge to people during commuting everyday.

Citing a recent incident, he said Dulkapur nala which carries drainage water from Banjara Hills and Langer House areas to Hussain Sagar, passes through the Mehdipatnam defence area. The Army authorities have built a checkdam on the nala for unknown reasons, without even informing the local authorities. As a result, the water seeped into Shatam Talab (Shah Hatim Talab) and polluted the lake. “We have been maintaining cordial relations with the Centre and making requests to the Union Ministers for resolving these issues. If they are not willing to listen to our pleas, we have no option but take to the streets and make demonstrations. The State government will fight on behalf of its people. We have held protests for farmers of the State recently, and we will take similar path in the best interests of our people, if the Union government remains unresponsive,” he asserted.

On Telangana winning 12 awards under Swachh Surveykshan 2021 and other competitions held by the Centre, the Minister felt that effective implementation of new Municipal Act as well as programmes like Pattana Pragathi and Haritha Haram have played a great role in securing the awards. The State government had not only increased the number of ULBs from 68 to 142, but also releasing necessary funds for development of ULBs every month. After the new Municipal Act came into force, the government released around Rs 2,959 crore so far.

“As per CM KCR’s directions, we focused on basic civic infrastructure including drinking water, sanitation, and solid waste management etc. We made Green Budget mandatory for all ULBs, which is unheard anywhere in the country,” he added. He made it clear that apart from releasing funds on the basis of per capita, the State government was providing funds to smaller municipalities through Telangana Urban Finance Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDC). The government will soon start recruitment of staff in all ULBs. He stated that the Central government was only giving awards, but not funds to a performing State like Telangana.

Responding to questions, Rama Rao said Hyderabad is growing at a fast pace which in turn imposing huge burden on its urban infrastructure. But the State government is making all efforts to improve the same. A major part of about 1,500 new Swachh autos to be launched soon, will be allocated to the Old City area to improve sanitation. Hyderabad is generating about 6,500 tonnes of garbage, which could help in generation of 90 MW of power through waste-to-energy plants. “This government listens to its people. We have launched Sunday Funday programmes at Tank Bund and Charminar as well as enhanced metro train timings, following requests from citizens on social media,” he said.

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