Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K T Rama Rao today flagged off new 325 Swachh Auto Tippers (SATs) at Necklace Road along with Animal Husbandry Minster Talasani Srinivas Yadav and some senior officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Rao highlighted the state government's dedication to battling poor gabber disposal problems in the capital, and said, "Our government has been deeply committed to improving the waste disposal and sanitation situation in the Greater Hyderabad area. A fleet of 2,500 Swach vehicles is already engaged in garbage collection in the GHMC's limits. We also plan to acquire more SATs to bolster the ongoing cleanliness efforts. Further, we have introduced refuse compactors as well."
The minister also appealed to the people to participate in Swachh drive to keep their localities clean and garbage-free, especially amidst rising concerns about the possibility of another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The government and the GHMC alone cannot successfully carry out the Swachh program without public participation. The people of the city too must support our efforts with their participation. They have to work to create a clean and green society. Everyone should come together to make our cities clean, green and disease-free. We have to work together to reduce the effects of pollution, too. So, keep your premises clean and cooperate with the government and the GHMC officials in the upkeep of the GHMC area and the roads in your localities," he said.
Reports say that another
650 tippers will also soon be added to the existing fleet of SATs. The addition will enable the vehicles to cover all 30 circles in the GHMC area.
They will be procured under a driver-cum-owner scheme, where 10% of the cost of each unit will be borne by the beneficiaries, rag pickers. The remaining 90% will be covered by the GHMC that will acquire loans from the Canara Bank at the rate of 8% per annum for a period of 72 months.