The Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) came under fire at the Ranga Reddy Urban District Review Committee meeting on Monday for a variety of reasons, including absence of water supply and sewerage connections, discrimination among localities, and overcharging.
Legislators M. Kishen Reddy and K. Srisailam Goud alleged supply related problems in their respective constituencies Ibrahimpatnam and Qutbullahpur, while K. Lakshma Reddy representing Medchal accused the Board of collecting sewerage charges even where there is no sewerage network. Mr. Kishen Reddy questioned the authorities on the progress of pipeline laying works for JNNURM colonies for which Rs.102 crore funding has been approved and Rs.22 crore sanctioned. Not even one colony has been provided with pipelines since sanction of funds two years ago, he said.
Mr. Lakshma Reddy asked why the Board has not waived arrears on sewerage charges, even after being apprised of the lack of sewerage network to these respective areas. Under the pretext of arrears, it has become a routine for the officials to disconnect the supply once in every month, he alleged. He also questioned why the occupants are being charged for bulk supply instead of individual connections.
Bad roads
Status of roads in general, as well as on particular stretches was also raised.
MLA Bhikshapathi Yadav cited various road stretches needing repairs in Serilingampally, so did Mr .Goud about roads in Qutbullahpur. High number of accidents was attributed to the damaged roads.
Minister for Civil Supplies and chairman of the committee D.Sridhar Babu directed the Roads and Buildings Department officials to identify accident spots, install display boards and speed breakers. GHMC was directed to repair roads.
Mr. Yadav also mentioned about alleged encroachment of a water body Kudi Kunta in Kondapur where a builder has constructed villas and laid a road after occupying one acre and 39 kuntas of the lake. The Collector confirmed but said there was a court stay order. Mr. Sridhar Babu expressed ire and wondered how the Town Planning officials allowed the project to come up.
Housing allotments and the maintenance of radial roads were also discussed at the meeting, also attended by Minister G. Prasad Kumar, legislators, GHMC, HMDA and district officials.
High drama prevailed when MLC K.Nageshwar threatening to stand on his feet throughout the session if a school in Alwal was not given accommodation forthwith. A government school at Venkatapuram is forced to conduct classes on the road, as the school land is in dispute, and no alternative accommodation is given, he alleged.
While 322 square yards of the school land is in dispute, the authorities have not bothered to construct classrooms even on the 648 square yards of free land, nor have they rented any premises. No counter was filed in the court of law for three years, said Mr. Nageshwar.
Even as Ministers D.Sridhar Babu and G.Prasad Kumar sat bewildered, no amount of coaxing would bring the MLC into his seat. He even sat on floor for some time before promises of immediate action, and a Ministerial trip to the school brought him around.
