JNTU, ASCI to be asked to monitor GHMC works

HYDERABAD: Unhappy with poor engineering works such as laying of roads and constructions by contractors, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) proposes to have a third party do quality assessment of the works.The task of checking would be given to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological  University (JNTU) and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).MT Krishna Babu, the new GHMC commissioner told Express, “In several cases, we found that contractors took up the works by quoting less than 20 to 25 per cent fees, leading to suspicion on the quality fo their works. Therefore, we want check on the works of these contractors,” said Babu, who earlier worked as special commissioner, GHMC.If JNTU or ASCI finds works to be of poor quality, GHMC will blacklist the contractors. The corporation also proposes to fix a financial ceiling limit for taking up the works. It will also not allow those contractors with pending work to take up new work, Krishna Babu said.With monsoon around the corner, the commissioner said priority is being given to tackle inundation points in the city. Of the 110 such places, GHMC plans to improve 90 by taking up necessary repair works. “We have stationed our officials and the traffic police at these vulnerable points,” Babu said and added that at present, some areas get inundated even by a short spell of rain. GHMC has identified 15 localities prone to submerging - Hafeezbaba nagar, Nagamaikunta, Tolichowki, Borabanda etc.“We are keeping our staff alert in these area. We are also identifying school buildings, community halls and function halls to shift people for the time if heavy rains inundate their homes,” the commissioner said.Babu added that the other important work is the widening of four major and nine secondary drains costing about `266 crore. The widening of these drains have been neglected for more than two years. The GHMC will complete these works at least by the next monsoon season by removing 1,200 odd encroachments, he said. The corporation is holding a meeting with district Collectors of Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts on July 6 on the issue of rehabilitation package to be given to the 1,200 families that will be affected.GHMC will also utilise GIS to cross check whether property tax is being paid duly. It has come to notice that several owners have given their houses on rent for commercial purposes but are still paying the tax for residential. The corporation will also errant traders pay up their trade license fees.