The Hindu Business Line : Move afoot for better infrastructure in AP

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today laid the foundation for four flyovers to decongest the city and announced a series of measures to strengthen urban infrastructure, including the ambitious Rs 906 crore `Save the Musi Campaign', and Rs 1,100-crore second phase of drinking water programme.

"The second phase of drinking water programme that seeks to evacuate water from the Krishna river would supplement the first phase and help in the drinking water for growing city populace. Even if we were to bring the Godavari water to city, the growing city would need more than one source," Dr Reddy said.

He advocated staggered timings for educational institutions, offices and cinema houses to break the traffic logjam prevailing in the twin cities.

After unveiling the foundation stone for the "Save Musi campaign" being taken up at a cost of Rs 906 crore on Wednesday, Dr Reddy said, "We have to think of a system of different timings otherwise it has become very scary to get on to the roads especially during peak evening hours. The Government is determined to bring about improvements in traffic movement."

The Chief Minister, earlier in the day, laid the foundation stones for four flyovers to come at Punjagutta crossroads, Somajiguda and Nalgonda crossroads, besides inaugurating a City Managers Training Centre in Banjara Hills. Supporting the road widening drive taken up by the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH), Dr Reddy said commuting on the city roads has become a nightmare and improving traffic flow has become imperative and a top priority issue.

Similarly, new traffic regulations introduced by the police will need some more time to get used to and necessary changes will also be made. The MCH expects to spend Rs 70 crore for four flyovers.

The Chief Minister said that a series of measures will only add value to private properties but will also help reduce travel time on the roads. The proposed outer ring road and satellite townships alongside, phase one metro rail project on three identified routes and the four flyovers will ease traffic in the next two to three years.

Dr Reddy, while emphasising the Government's resolve to improve Hyderabad's infrastructure, said funds are not a constraint any longer. He sought cooperation in improving road network by widening, traffic regulations, removing encroachments and resorting to household segregation of garbage.

The Chief Minister said that the Save Musi campaign was a historic programme. The river has been reduced to a drain over the years.

This will be transformed into a beautiful area by cleaning up the riverbed, cleaning sewer, retaining water spots, and creating green spaces. Encroachments will be removed and people rehabilitated.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page