Sri KT Rama Rao who along with other Ministers and public representatives toured Warangal city on the instructions of the CM, held a review meeting with the officials at the NIT Campus.

“When we toured several areas in the city, people have unanimously told us that it was due to encroachments of drains that prevented the flood water to go out and it was resulted in inundation of roads and flooding of the residential areas. Whatever the people said is very true. There are several illegal encroachments of the drains in the city. They have to be removed immediately. There will not be any compromise on this issue. There will not be any political pressure on the matter. Get heavy machinery to demolish and remove major constructions. Start removing the illegal encroachments, which are already identified. Examine if any obstructions are there for the water flow in drains. We are appointing a District Task Force team under the leadership of the Collector to identify and remove the illegal encroachments of the drains. Principal Secretary (MA) and MAUD Commissioner will monitor the works. One of these two will visit Warangal one day in a week. All the illegal encroachments should be removed within a month’s time. If they are illegal encroachments, remove them, if they happen to be houses of the poor, assure them that 2 BHK houses will be constructed and given to them as compensation. If the encroachment is registered, pay them the compensation. In any case, remove all the encroachments of the drains, construct retaining walls after so that there will not be any encroachments in future. Remove silt from the Aqua duct Canal of SRSP Canal,” Sri KTR issued clear-cut instructions to the officials.

“Encroachments of drains in Warangal are not a new feature, it has been happening for a long time. In the past, construction of houses, laying of roads, Lay outs were not done in a proper way. Henceforth it will not be the case. Everything will happen properly. We have brought in the New Municipal Act to ensure proper development of the Cities. Along with this, a new Master Plan is prepared for Warangal City. We will announce it with acceptance of the CM. With these two, newly TS B Pass also came. Henceforth, constructions in Warangal should be done in tune with the New Act, policies and plans. The development in the city should take place in planned manner but not in haphazard way,” Sri KTR explained.

“CM KCR has a special affection and attention towards Warangal City. The news of heavy rains and floods in Warangal caused some anxious moments to the CM. He felt that Warangal, the second biggest City after Hyderabad, should not suffer. The CM spoke to Ministers, MLAs and Officials on a regular basis and assessed the situation. He gave instructions that relief work should take place on a big way and ensure that not even a single life is lost. Based on the CM’s instructions, 20 relief camps were setup in Warangal and 4,500 people from the low-lying areas were shifted to these camps. Disaster Response Force are deputed from Hyderabad to Warangal with Boats, and other rescue equipment. They were all involved in the relief work. The CM wanted to visit Warangal On Monday but decided not to as it would hamper the relief works. Today the CM has deputed us. We have assessed the situation and updated the CM. The CM who immediately granted Rs 25 Crore for the relief works, said after the estimates report from the officials funds would be released further. Hence the officials should prepare the estimates scientifically,” Sri KTR said.

“Warangal population has reached 11 Lakh now. The population may increase in future and employees and staff should be increased based on the growth of population. Mechanization of sanitary works is necessary. Use sweeping machines in the city,” Sri KTR said.

“Officials should feel that it is their primary duty to restore the infrastructure and provide relief to the people whose dwellments submerged. Supply essential commodities to the displaced people from the government side. Officials and public representatives should take part in the programme. Nobody should suffer with any problem. Since there is a forecast that there may be heavy rains in next few days, take all the preventive measures. Be on high alert as far as low-lying areas concerned and evict people living in the dilapidated houses. Keep an eye on the buildings which are under construction,” Sri KTR told the officials.

Task Force Formed

Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration) Sri Arvind Kumar issued orders forming a Task Force team with Warangal Urban district Collector Sri Rajiv Hanmanthu as Chairman, Police Commissioner as Co-Chairman, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Water Resources SE, and Warangal Urban RDO, national Highways Authority SE as members,.