Telangana Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao, who is keen in promoting Hyderabad as a global city, is now focusing on its cleanliness and preparing plans to adopt Japanese model. He has indicated his proposal to set up “Hyderabad Clean Authority” on the lines of the Tokyo model to make Hyderabad a clean and hygienic city.

He shared his numerous proposals in this regard with IAS officers drawn from across the country, who attended the National Urban Development Summit, in Hyderabad. To ensure a brand image of the city, he said making the city clean and green was imperative as everyone was migrating to cities in search of jobs leading to pollution levels going up.

Referring to his recent Japan visit, he said he was impressed by the measures taken there and concern of the people to maintain their city. He also expressed his view that the common man to enjoy the fruits of development of technology. It should not be confined just for making money but should be useful in day to day life as well.

In this connection, KTR explained the RTA wallet development by the state government and how it was being widely used. Telangana government was planning to give free internet to every household. Fiber optical cable works were underway along with Mission Bhagirtha pipeline works. Talking about the local bodies, the minister said villages with a population of 5000 would have the option to convert themselves into local bodies.

Meanwhile, at a preliminary meeting to work out the modalities of the proposed authority, it was felt that the proposed authority should have statutory powers. It was also felt that the proposed authority should not only confine to air pollution but also include noise and water pollution as well.