Hyderabad civic services and grassroots participation in urban administration came under focus after representatives of the United Federation of RWAs (UFERWAS) submitted a representation to Metropolitan Area and Urban Development Department Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan on Thursday.
The delegation, led by UFERWAS Telangana president Sitaram Dhoolipala, met Ranjan at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation head office at Tank Bund. It raised issues concerning municipal corporations and governance in the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) area, seeking measures to improve the delivery of civic services and involve residents more closely in urban administration.
A key demand was the formation and strengthening of ward committees envisaged under the CURE Act. UFERWAS said stronger ward-level institutions could support grassroots governance and improve the way civic concerns are identified and addressed. The representation placed public participation at the centre of its requests to the urban development department.
The residents’ federation also sought the construction of rainwater harvesting pits and improvements to road infrastructure to support more effective rainwater management. These demands link road design and local water management, particularly in areas where stormwater handling is affected by inadequate civic infrastructure.
Another issue raised by the delegation concerned excess water from sewage treatment plants in gated communities. UFERWAS called for measures to collect and properly manage this water, placing the responsibility for managing treated or excess wastewater within the wider framework of urban water management.
The delegation further urged the department to simplify registration procedures and reduce registration charges. It said easier procedures and lower charges could encourage wider participation and improve compliance among resident welfare associations and other local groups.
According to the representation, the requested measures cover three connected aspects of Hyderabad’s urban administration: stronger citizen participation, better civic infrastructure and more sustainable water management. Ward committees would provide a formal channel for local involvement, while road improvements, rainwater harvesting and sewage-water management address service delivery at neighbourhood level.
The meeting also highlights the role of resident welfare associations in engaging with the state’s urban administration. UFERWAS asked the department to examine the issues raised and take steps to strengthen urban governance, promote sustainable water management and increase citizen participation in municipal administration.
The department’s response and any decisions on the formation or strengthening of ward committees, infrastructure improvements, wastewater management measures and registration reforms were not specified in the report. The next step sought by UFERWAS is an examination of its representation by the Metropolitan Area and Urban Development Department.
