GHMC not paying for water harvesting plan

Hyderabad: The GHMC has left dozens of families that opted for its scheme to build water harvesting pits in the lurch. It has not reimbursed them 70 per cent of the cost of the pits for a year now.

These families had spent between Rs 9,000 and Rs 11,000 to build the water harvesting pits as part of the GHMC scheme floated in 2015-16. They submitted the bills to the corporation and are still awaiting reimbursement. The scheme was jointly run by the Water Board and the GHMC, and the corporation was supposed to pick up a part of the tab.

Mr K. Yadhaiya of Sainagar Colony in Old Alwal said, “I constructed a 6x4x4-foot water harvesting pit spending close to Rs 5000. As per the agreement, the GHMC was supposed to pay back 70 per cent of the cost as the pit was constructed in my house. On the day of completion in 2015, I got an officer concerned, Mr Kondal Rao, to endorse my documents. Mr Kondal Rao retired but my bills are still not cleared. When I recently approached the Alwal division, official, told me that my documents were missing.”

Experts say Hyderabad’s soil condition does not favour easy construction of water harvesting pits. The city has a rocky granite subsurface, due to which the water does not penetrate easily. Also, the soil in a particular area is a major criterion.

Despite this, many residents opted to dig the pits. The GHMC had promised to pick up 70 per cent of the cost of building water harvesting pits in homes and 50 per cent for commercial enterprises.

Mr Rama Krishna of Malkajgiri said, “I know of 16 houses in my locality who have not yet received the reimbursement. When we ask the officers, they say they don’t have funds. If they are not paid, residents will lose trust in these schemes.”

What happened to 70 per cent promise?
The GHMC had told resident welfare associations that it would contribute 70 per cent of the cost if they maintained the 617 parks that were handed over to them over seven years. The money was to be paid every three months.

These associations have repeatedly moved the corporation for reimbursement but to no avail in a majority of cases.

The cost of maintenance of a park ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 depending on the size; most parks range from 200 to 1,000 square yards in different colonies.

Park maintenance includes cost of water, trimming and protection of plants, electricity bills, and park furniture, renovation and gardener salaries.

“Delay in bill clearance is a major concern. The RWAs submit the bills to the zonal office every quarter but officials take a long time to release cheques,” said Mr Ashwin Kumar, president of the Shanthinagar RWA.

The RWA maintains three parks. “As the corporation takes long to release the money, we are using association funds to maintain the parks,” Mr Kumar said.

The GHMC releases the money only after the work is cleared following an inspection.

Mr V. Damodar, director of the urban biodiversity wing, said, a majority of the bills had been cleared up to March. Payment is pending where the park inspection report is negative, he added.

“When the corporation hands over a park for maintenance, it is the responsibility of the RWA to ensure that there is no damage. If damage is reported or the officer incharge is not satisfied with the manner the park is being maintained, the bills are stopped,” he said.