Hyderabad: With municipal polls likely in the coming months, aspirants for mayor and corporator posts in urban local bodies (ULBs) outside the GHMC are stepping up their outreach and groundwork.
In anticipation of the elections, internal road repairs and water connection works have gained pace in several wards. Former mayors and corporators, whose terms have expired, are actively holding meetings with residents’ welfare associations to regain public visibility.
Narsingi, Manikonda, Bairagiguda, Nadergul, Badangpet, Boduppal and Peerzadiguda are among the ULBs witnessing renewed activity. Aspirants and sitting corporators are maintaining constant contact with residents and municipal officials, pushing for the completion of pending civic works.
Some politicians are directly engaging with contractors, urging them through official channels to speed up road works. Others have been seen visiting the HMWS&SB offices to lobby for accelerated progress on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) Phase-II project.
The ORR Phase-II scheme was conceived to improve potable water supply to areas located outside the GHMC limits but within the ORR. While some localities are already receiving water through the project, others still await supply due to delays in pipeline laying and the pending completion of water reservoirs.
In slum areas, political aspirants across party lines are sponsoring Bonalu festivities in a bid to consolidate local support. “In some slums, selected youngsters are being given funds in advance for Bonalu celebrations and are asked to set up flex banners. Last year, it was the other way around — youngsters approached leaders for help, and the support was less,” said a mayoral aspirant from Manikonda municipality.
Simultaneously, the process of delimiting wards in 18 newly constituted ULBs and adding new areas to 12 existing ones is underway — a key step ahead of the municipal elections.
