City Beautification To Continue After COP-11: GHMC

GHMC Commissioner M T Krishna Babu on Tuesday expressed confidence that the beautification works in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad would be completed before the beginning of COP 11, the global bio-diversity conference.

Addressing a press conference at the GHMC headquarters, Krishna Babu said that the corporation has so far spent about Rs. 125 crore on the constructions and repairs of roads, footpaths and storm water drains.

He said Rs. 50-60 crores more would be spent on the beautification drive.

However, he said that the GHMC had originally allocated Rs. 400 for the beautification drive for COP-11.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew, who reviewed the progress of works for the global biodiversity conference, on Tuesday directed the GHMC Commissioner not to take up new works, and focus instead on the completion of the ongoing works.

The GHMC Commissioner claimed that almost 90% of the works had been completed.

He said by September 28, about 15 stone sculptures and 51 scrap structures would installed in various parts of the GHMC limits.

He also announced that the beautification drive would continue even after the conclusion of COP-11.

He said about 800 additional personnel had been hired to execute the works of beautification drive.

Babu also informed that so far about 70 Mayors of foreign cities had confirmed their participation, and that more confirmations were awaited. He said that about 50-60 Mayors from India were also likely to participate in the Mayor summit, which would be chaired by GHMC Mayor Mohammad Majid Hussain.

Regarding arrangements for the Ganesh festival, Krishna Babu said that the police and GHMC had devised a strategy to ensure the immersion of all idols by the early hours of September 30. He said that 600 workers and additional vehicles had been hired to clean the garbage along the entire routes of the Ganesh procession. (INN)