A role model colony for greenery

RTC Colony near Bharatinagar area is role model in promoting green cover. Swaying green trees with a thick canopy on either side of the internal roads provide a feast to one’s eyes.

The sign boards at vantage points read ‘Tree is a lifeline, let us protect trees’. The colony inhabited by retired government servants offers lifeline when the city with raising carbon levels and felling of trees to make way for road expansion feels literally stifled by rising pollution levels.

Formed 35 years ago, the colony now has 285 houses. The RTC Colony Welfare Association has formed a committee to develop the colony. During the recently conducted elections the colony residents elected G Jaganmohana Rao as president and Narra Koteswara Rao as secretary. They will continue in office for two years.

Koteswara Rao told ‘The Hans India’ that the colony residents contribute Rs 300 every month for maintenance. “Fall under the jurisdiction of eighth division of VMC, the colony has secured all facilities by contributing 30 per cent of the total cost of infrastructure facilities like roads, trees, underground drainage etc.

The colony has NTR Sujala Sravanti facility for drinking water requirements. For salaries of six sanitation workers, the colony was contributing 60 per cent of salaries while the VMC was offering remaining 40 per cent. Similarly, the colony owns two community halls,” says Rao.

He further added: “For Rudrabhumi in Patamata we contributed Rs 16 lakh. We have 40 CC cameras fitted at key points in the colony. Eight gates and two night security men keep the colony theft-free. We all have toilets.

We received accolades for greenery and clean maintenance from officials and others.” AP Pollution Control Board member secretary BSS Prasad says the trees are helpful for reducing temperature apart from reducing carbon dioxide.

By Noor Shaik