Focus on rejuvenation of water bodies: KTR to officials

Hyderabad: Reiterating that protection and conservation of water bodies was a top priority for the State government and that all required measures would be taken for this, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao on Saturday asked officials to focus on rejuvenation of water bodies in and around the city as well.

The Minister, who also interacted with a few water conservation experts over video conference, discussed the measures to be taken to protect water bodies within the HMDA limits.

“The Telangana government has given top priority to protection and conservation of water bodies since the formation of the State. HMDA has played a key role in taking up beautification works around the water bodies,” he said.

The Minister, stating that along with HMDA, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is also developing infrastructure around water bodies, asked both civic bodies to work together to come up with a plan of action for better protection and maintenance of water bodies in future.

Highlighting the development and conservation programmes that have already been undertaken at major water bodies like Gandipet, Rao also asked officials to focus on speeding up beautification works at the Gandipet Lake, which would be a great experience to the people of Hyderabad.

The officials were also directed to initiate steps for protection of lands that are under the HMDA in the wake of an increase in the value of land.

Strengthening of radial roads, Musi River rejuvenation works, construction of bridges over Musi river, HMDA land pooling plans and construction of logistics parks were among other topics discussed during the review meeting, which was attended by senior officials including Urband Development Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar.Speaking at a meeting to review development works in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits here, the Minister told the officials that steps would have to be taken not just to protect but also revive water bodies in the capital region.