'Pattana Pragathi' will change the very face of towns: KTR

Khammam: Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao on Sunday emphasised on the need to keep the towns and cities clean and neat.

The minister made it clear to the public representatives that they should ensure that the environment does not get affected while taking up the developmental projects. Expressing his displeasure over erecting huge cut-outs and flexis in Yellandu, he asked the officials to levy a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Municipal Chairman D Venkateshwarlu.

The minister, who was in Bhadrachalam to inaugurate various developmental programmes, said anyone who commits a mistake would be punished.

"Ministers come and go on a brief visit and for that there was no need to put up such a show spoiling the natural beauty of the city or town," he said, adding that one should become a leader by his hard work and not by putting up such shows.

Earlier participating in the Pattana Pragathi programme in Khammam town, KTR said Khammam was set to become the most developed town after Hyderabad and Warangal.

The IT HUB in Khammam will play a major role in providing employment to the local youth and more job opportunities would emerge as many more industries are slated to be set up in the district.

Interacting with the officials, corporators and municipal councillors, KTR said that while the government was making all out efforts to develop the district and attract industries, it was the responsibility of the elected representatives and officials to ensure that 85 percent of the trees that are planted survive so that the green cover increases.

Investors would look for infrastructural development including green cover before they decide to invest. Hence, the minister said it was the responsibility of the public representatives and officials to ensure that 85 percent of the trees planted survive.

KTR instructed the officials to construct 400 public toilets in three months in Khammam town. Similarly, he asked the officials to ensure that garbage was not thrown in vacant places or dumped in drains.

He instructed them to issue notices to owners of vacant sites to keep the sites clean and green and not to allow illegal constructions. He asked the officials to levy heavy fine 25 times than normal rates if anyone violates the rule. Similarly, the minister said that 10 percent of the funds should be allocated for development of parks.

He assured that the proposals of Munneru river front development would be examined and a decision would be taken soon.

In Yellandu town, the minister announced allocation of Rs 5 crore for purification of water in Buggavagu.