The city holds the potential of becoming one of the world’s best and all civic bodies, including the GHMC and the Water Board, have a responsibility in making it happen, Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty remarked on Sunday.
Accompanied by GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu, Mr. Mohanty toured five of the city’s water bodies and inspected lake development works. He said funds were no constraint for taking up works related to improving transportation, conserving water bodies and improving greenery.
“Land is available in the city and this can be used as a resource,” he said.
While the GHMC has planned the protection of 100 lakes and the planting of 1 lakh saplings this year, the Chief Secretary asked the civic body to double its target. The help and support of the local community, residents’ welfare associations and others should be roped in for the purpose, he suggested. Nearly 8 crore tall seedlings were ready for plantation across the State this monsoon, of which 6 crore would be planted, he said.
At a recent review meeting, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy had laid emphasis on four aspects for the HMDA area, which included the improvement of transportation, greenery, lake conservation and employment. Projects like the Outer Ring Road, Metro Rail and radial roads would help improve transport while the concept of transit-oriented development and bus rapid transit system were being considered, Mr. Mohanty said.
GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu said the planting of saplings during the monsoon was underway. Community-level support had been sought in the protection of 128 selected water bodies.
The lake inspection covered Goshaikunta at Gowlidoddi where 2,800 plants have been proposed, Medikunta (440 plants), Yellamakunta (450 plants), Kothaguda lake (950 plants) and Mullakethu lake (950 plants).
