GHMC launches exclusive helpline to report water drain

Intensifying monsoon-related works in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, the State government has urged the citizens to join hands with officials in addressing issues related to desilting of stormwater drains. Accordingly, citizens with grievances can WhatsApp the details to 9848021665 and can also send pictures along the location of the drains that need to be desilted or repaired.

An exclusive WhatsApp group has been formed for filing complaints and to get feedback from the citizens, said Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Sunday. GHMC Commissioner DS Lokesh Kumar, all the six zonal commissioners of the civic body and other officials will be part of the group.

The grievances reported through 9848021665 will be forwarded to the group and officials to take required steps and resolve the issues. This year, the State government has sanctioned Rs 45 crore to widen and repair the stormwater drains in GHMC limits. To make sure these works are executed efficiently and in a time bound manner, elected representatives will also carry out



inspections in their respective jurisdiction from June 14 to 19. Srinivas Yadav will also inspect the storm water drains works in Begumpet on June 14.

According to a press release issued by the Minister’s office, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao are constantly monitoring the works related to stormwater drains.

To address urban flooding, the State government has accorded administrative sanction of Rs 858 crore in April and the budget is to be used to strengthen the storm water drain network in the city and its peripheries. After the fund was sanctioned, the Strategic Nala Development Plan (SNDP) wing, exclusively formed to develop and maintain the stormwater drain network in the city, is preparing proposals following which tenders will be floated.

It was also decided at a recently held review meeting that the works related to desilting of storm water drains will be geo-tagged and the pictures will be shared with corporators and MLAs.