Case against GHMC, Water Board for Musi mess

HYDERABAD: Following allegations of corruption during execution of projects under the Save Musi campaign, the Lok Ayukta registered a case against the Greater Hyderabad municipal commissioner and managing director of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB).Lok Ayukta intervened after a complaint given by one M Srinivas, who informed that Rs 399 crore was spent under the campaign but no visible change was seen in making the Musi pollution-free. “According to the original plan made in 2005, the project was supposed to be completed in 30 months. But even after 6 years, the project has not been completed,” Srinivas said. The complainant further said that under the Save Musi campaign, Musi Revitalisation project was taken up by the GHMC while Abatement of Pollution in the Musi was given to the Water Board.  “As part of the Musi Revitalisation project, rubber dams were planned to be constructed in the river opposite to the High Court and Salarjung museum. The plan was to construct a sewerage treatment plant at Attapur to treat the polluted water and allow the treated water in the rubber dams. But well before construction of the STP, rubber dams were built. This unplanned act lead to drainage water getting stagnated at various places, resulting in severe mosquito menace,” Srinivas said.  He also alleged large-scale irregularities have been taking place during execution of the works. Besides encroachments have been taking place in the river between Mulimjung bridge and Chadherghat but concerned officials are allegedly not taking interest in removing them. Reacting to this, the Lok Ayukta said, “Your complaint against the GHMC commissioner and others has been registered and numbered.”