80 per cent of city to get piped water

Several reforms being initiated to meet expectations of people, says Vishnu

August 04, 2010 04:15 pm | Updated 04:17 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

Eighty per cent of the city will be covered under piped water supply once the projects taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission are completed, Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu has said.

Foundation Day

Addressing a meeting organised to mark the 14{+t}{+h} Foundation Day of Lok Satta, a non-political organisation on Tuesday, he said several reforms were being taken up keeping in view the hopes of people living in the city.

The seven-year urban mission ends in 2012.

The GVMC was ahead in information technology (IT) initiatives and the online system introduced on Monday facilitated anytime payment from anywhere. Also in keeping with the disclosure norms, the GVMC website has all details relating to its services, works etc.

The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) taken up on two corridors was intended to increase use of public transport from the present 15 per cent to 30 per cent. The mandatory reforms in solid waste management to make the city dustbin-free by 2012 were also being initiated and resident welfare associations should play their role.

The formation of ward committees and area committees would be taken up in October, he said.

Mr. Vishnu said besides political will and official commitment, the participation of stakeholders through NGOs, social organisations and self-help groups was very important for administration achieving its goals. Good governance should be synonymous with ‘smart' governance and was aimed at inclusive growth.

Referring to pollution, the Commissioner said tree guards would be given free of cost for plantation by RWAs, and block and institutional plantation would be taken up. He complimented RWAs for good maintenance of about 50 parks in the city. If RWAs foot one-third of the cost, the corporation would sanction the remaining amount. Timers were being fixed for streetlights for energy management and meters to prevent wastage of industrial water supply, he added.

Former Zonal Co-ordinator of Lok Satta MVS Rai traced the origin and growth of the organisation. In the ward committees to be formed according to the amendments made under the Act 7 of 2008, retired officials and those who could work independently should be nominated without yielding to political pressures, he urged.

Lok Satta founding district president and former Principal of an AU College B. Prasada Rao who presided expressed apprehensions over the quality of water being supplied by the corporation.

Praja Spadana President C.S. Rao favoured reconstruction of the entire One Town area by taking ‘G+3' structures, locating of wholesale market outside the city and retail market in the city to improve conditions of Poorna and Kurupam markets and splitting transport as local and peripheral to improve conditions.

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