Special wing soon to protect, conserve water bodies in GHMC limits: KTR

Hyderabad: Municipal administration and urban development minister K.T. Rama Rao stated that the government will set up a special wing for the protection and conservation of water bodies in the GHMC limits.

The special wing will be headed by a chief engineer from the irrigation department and a special commissioner from the GHMC. This wing will especially protect the water bodies from encroachments and take up conservation activities, he said.

The minister was speaking at a review meeting with GHMC officials at Buddha Bhavan on Sunday. Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, principal secretaries Arvind Kumar and Rajath Kumar were present at the meeting.

Rama Rao said that a task force will be set up for the development of lakes and nalas. This task force will improve coordination between departments. Officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, revenue and irrigation departments will be a part of the Task Force.

The minister stated that tougher laws will be incorporated on encroachments of lakes and nalas in the new GHMC Act.

Rama Rao instructed officials to take up a detailed study on all the lakes and nalas in GHMC limits, keeping in mind the damage caused by the recent floods in Hyderabad and neighbouring municipalities.

The minister asked the officials to study the strengthening and stabilising of the bunds. He instructed municipal officials to closely work with the irrigation department to take up the study.

Rama Rao said the government was coming up with an action plan on water bodies and nalas in GHMC limits along with areas located inside the Outer Ring Road.