'All potholes, ditches to be filled within 24 hours': KTR rolls out ward office system

Hyderabad: Telangana IT and Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao today rolled out the ambitious ward office system in Hyderabad.

The new ward office system will ensure swift action on civic issues, including the filling of potholes, covering of catch pits, removal of road silt, dead animals, street light repairs, and anti-larval operations. The ward will work on a real-time basis and will fix the issue within 24 hours.

Minister KT Rama Rao inaugurated the first GHMC ward office at Kachiguda on Friday.

"We are opening ward offices in 150 divisions across the city in one day. This system will enable the GHMC administration to provide good governance and resolve public issues quickly. The introduction of ward offices is a response to the absence of specific bureaucracy at the ward level. There are corporators at the ward level, but due to the lack of a dedicated bureaucracy, we have implemented this ward office system," he said.

Stressing the importance of unity beyond political boundaries, he said, "I appeal to work for the success of this system beyond politics. Local public representatives will provide all kinds of support to the ward office, regardless of their party affiliation. If successful, this system can be implemented in cities across the country."

KTR expressed optimism about the positive impact of the ward office system. "If successful, Hyderabad will lead the list of cities providing effective governance in the country," he said.

He urged GHMC officials to work diligently in addressing complaints through this new system and requested the GHMC officials solve complaints as soon as possible using this system.

Acknowledging that there may be initial challenges with the new system, KTR assured citizens that efforts would be made to make it fully operational without delay. "As the ward system is new, there may be some problems for a few days. However, we will work towards resolving them promptly," he assured.

The ward office system comprises a team of ten officers from various departments, including Road Maintenance, Sanitation, Entomology, Greenery, Town Planning, Electricity Department, Water Board, and a computer operator. These officers will supervise departmental programs at the ward level. Additionally, more officers from the health and police departments will be attached to the ward office in the future.