The elections over and done with and the Congress back in the seat of power both at the State and Centre, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy got down to business on Monday He asked the concerned departments like Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to concentrate on urgent issues concerning the people.

“As there are some hiccups in the drinking water supply we should rectify them and with the onset of monsoon, the civic departments have to take steps to prevent inundation of low lying areas and other problems during the forthcoming monsoon season by taking all precautions and necessary steps,” the Chief Minister told the officials here on Monday.

“Prevention is always better than cure.

Hence, take all preventive steps to meet any eventualities that may arise once the monsoon sets in. Take steps to clear the dirt and silt from the choked storm water drains and open nalas as well as cover the open manholes to avoid mishaps,” he said.

“We should not wait for the rains to come but swing into action before that.

The storm water drains should be cleared and steps taken in all the low lying areas, particularly in and around the Twin Cities so that during rainy season they are not inundated,” Rajasekhara Reddy told officials.

The CM again expressed his unhappiness with the GHMC over the Bholakpur water tragedy. “The contamination of water could have been avoided if officials acted when complaints were pouring in from local residents. There are no excuses for such costly lapses. Human lives are precious. I feel pained about the incident,” Rajasekhara Reddy said. Twelve persons died in Bholakpur after having consumed contaminated water.

The Chief Minister asked the officials now to concentrate on completing ongoing and pending pro ects.

“We should complete them on a war footing by tightening our belts. All of you have to be on your toes and I want all the projects to be completed as per schedule.

This includes all the road works, P V Narasimha Rao Elevated Express Highway, Outer Ring Road, Radial Roads, flyovers etc.

Rajasekhara Reddy said that officials ought to concentrate on administration now that the elections were over. “Our only mantra should be development and welfare programmes. Let us keep aside the elections and bitter politics that dominated the State scene for the last two months,” he said.