CM directs officials to expedite Musi river remediation

Hyderabad, July 13 (UNI) Andhra Pradsesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy directed the officials of the state Pollution Control Board, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to expedite the Musi river remediation programme, Hussain Sagar Lake Improvement works.

Reviewing the activities of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board with senior officials here today, the Chief Minister expressed his displeasure at the slow pace of works.

The officials told the Chief Minister that 61 industries which were polluting the Kunta were closed. A project report was submitted to World Bank and Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the consultants started collecting required information on the pollutants.

The construction of sewerage treatment plant would be completed by March, 2008, the officials said.

The Chief Minister directed the Member Secretary APPCB to come out with a specific time table for completion of Noor Mohammed Kunta project in the next 15 days. He also directed to initiate prosecution against those Municipalities and Corporations which were not implementing the guidelines on Municipal Solid Waste and Sewerage Treatment. ''If any Municipal Commissioner is found violating the guidelines, arrest him,'' the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister directed the HUDA and GHMC officials to take steps for removing the garbage near the Hussain Sagar lake.

Regarding the Musi beautification project, the Chief Minister directed officials to complete the check dam works in Musi river and lake formation works by January next.

He reviewed the monitoring and assessment of municipal solid waste and Bio-Medical waste by the APPCB. He asked the officials to discourage and prohibit usage of small and thin plastic carry bags.

He directed that air and vehicular pollution should be monitored constantly and necessary remedial measures be taken from time to time.

UNI