'Take up massive drive to improve greenery in HMDA limits'

: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Monday asked officials to take up a massive drive to improve greenery in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits.

Rao held a meeting with HMDA Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy and other officials on promoting greenery in the areas under HMDA.

The Chief Minister suggested that the HMDA authorities come out with a plan and a plan of action for developing greenery in HMDA area, a release from his office said.

Hyderabad should not become a concrete jungle like some other Indian cities and citizens should benefit from a massive plantation campaign, Rao said, adding lung space should be created as much as possible in HMDA areas.

Rao also told the HMDA Commissioner to form walkers' clubs and hand them over to walkers for maintenance.

He emphasised the need to rejuvenate erstwhile forest areas near the city, the release said.

Rao wanted an integrated approach in collaboration with the forest department to be evolved for developing greenery, including in areas around the citys Outer Ring Road, the release added.