HYDERABAD: GHMC Commissioner Amrapali Kata on Thursday gave voice to the despair of lakhs of citizens of Hyderabad who suffer in silence by saying that sometimes garbage is not lifted from her residence too by the civic body.
She also tried to reassure property owners that there was no imminent hike in property tax by saying that the comprehensive integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) survey being undertaken by the GHMC was merely to map all properties and utilities within the civic body limits to improve municipal services, including sanitation.
“There are no such proposals to increase property tax following this survey,” the civic body commissioner said. She appealed to citizens to participate in the survey and provide accurate information during the door-to-door visits. SHGs and Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) will collaborate with GHMC to accelerate the survey and ensure thorough coverage, she told reporters at a press conference here.
Property owners were also informed that they need not give personal information like Aadhaar or PAN details during the GIS survey.
“During the mapping survey, we will prioritise the protection of personal information. Our data collection is limited to property-related information, utilities and infrastructure along with essential supporting documents,” Kata said.
Property owners need not give Aadhaar or Pan details: GHMC
‘We will focus solely on enhancing urban planning and resource management. We will not request personal details such as Aadhaar or PAN. Submission of water and electricity bills is optional. Minimal data is being collected and some personal information in the GIS field survey mobile app has been deleted and simplified further,” Amrapali Kata said.
Addressing a press conference here, Kata said the GIS survey would cover details of roads, buildings, water bodies, parks and other features within GHMC limits.
All data will be protected and stored in Railtel, owned by the Union government, the GHMC commissioner said. Currently, there are 19.38 lakh assessments, including 2.78 commercial assessments under GHMC’s jurisdiction.
Digital address for garbage collection
A unique digital address will be generated for each property to facilitate efficient delivery of services such as garbage collection and emergency response, Kata said. A drone survey covering 158 sq km within GHMC limits has been conducted, and 1,14,020 plots have been digitised. Areas like Hydernagar, Miyapur, Chandanagar, KPHB Colony, Uppal and Hayathnagar have already been surveyed.
Additional areas, including Madhapur, Allwyn Colony, Serilingampally, Vivekananda Nagar Colony, Gajularamaram, Subhash Nagar, Nagole and RC Puram, are being prepared for the survey, she said.
From next month, around 600 teams with two members each will work on the ground to collect information for the GIS survey which is expected to be completed by March 2025.
The GIS mapping will contribute to better city planning, improved services, quicker emergency response, enhanced utility services, infrastructure development, efficient garbage collection, and improved safety and security, Kata said.