Make Hyderabad pollution-free, eco-friendly city, chief minister Revanth Reddy tells officials

Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday directed officials to expedite shifting of polluting industries in the city to outside Outer Ring Road (ORR) and prepare comprehensive plans with an eye on the next 25 years to make Hyderabad a pollution-free, eco-friendly city.

At a review meeting with the officials of municipal administration and urban development at the Command Control Centre, the CM said people were facing inconvenience in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai due to extreme pollution. “Such a situation should not prevail in Hyderabad. Polluting industries in the core city should be shifted outside the ORR. Necessary reforms should be undertaken to make Hyderabad pollution-free, and plans should be prepared keeping in mind the needs of the next 25 years. The problems being faced in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai should be studied for this,” he said.

Officials of the respective departments should pay special attention to underground drainage and underground electricity cabling projects in the city. All the departments concerned should prepare comprehensive detailed project reports (DPRs) in this regard. “Single-use plastic should be banned. Construction debris should not be allowed to be dumped anywhere in the city. Strict action should be taken against those who do so intentionally. The Water Board should plan for a complete reform of the water supply and sewage system by coming out with a special plan to make the best use of its resources,” the CM said.

He ordered that the guidelines of the Quli Qutb Shahi Urban Development Authority be amended and further strengthened to protect the heritage buildings within the ORR and develop them as tourist destinations.

The CM also inquired about the status of the Metro rail works in the Old City and instructed the officials to expedite the works as funds were already released. Delays would not be tolerated in the Metro rail project works. Work on the elevated corridor from Paradise Junction to Shamirpet and ORR should be speeded up, the officials were told.

“Expedite the work from Himayatsagar to Gandhi Sarovar. A landmark like India Gate, Gateway of India, Charminar should be built as a symbol of the Musi riverfront at Kothwalguda junction on the ORR towards Musi. Plans should be in place at the earliest for bridge-cum-barrages on Musi. The STPs in front of Mir Alam Tank should be operated according to their capacity. A hotel with modern facilities should be built near Zoo Park and Mir Alam Tank to allow tourists to stay. The hotel should have a view of the Zoo Park and Mir Alam Tank and the city,” Revanth said.