After she moved to Telangana in 2024, she also held the position of Commissioner of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Telangana and served as Additional Commissioner – Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation(GHMC).
She went on to head the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Her tenure in Andhra Pradesh also included serving as Commissioner of the Industries Department and as district Collector for both Kurnool and NTR districts.
In conversation with NewsMeter , Commissioner G Srijana shared her vision and priorities. The officer brings a rich administrative experience to the table. She began her career as Sub Collector of Vijayawada, then served as Joint Collector of Vizag.
With the historic trifurcation of city’s civic body, the Cyberabad Municipial Corporation (CMC) was formed as one distinct civic body.
Hyderabad: 100% source collection of garbage, eradicating mosquito and stray menace and infrastructure upgrade are amongst top priorities for the IAS officer Srijana Gummalla, the newly appointed Municipal Commissioner for Cyberabad.
NM: With the formation of the new corporation, what are your top priorities?
Srijana: Sanitation first will be at the top of the priority list. I believe the corporation’s first mandate is to give a respectable life to any citizen, poor, rich, it doesn’t matter. A respectable life means first having a clean environment around. So, sanitation will be a priority always.
Then, of course, bringing infrastructure closer is my other priority. I have a very interesting mix of areas in my jurisdiction. Cyberabad is the IT capital of the country, where you see a really plush environment. I also have places that are newly merged, like Quthbullapur and others, where infrastructure is still a dream.
So, I need to really balance the needs of these two varied areas. In Quthbullapur and the other merged areas, I’ll really have to improve road infrastructure, footpaths, street lights, parks, and a cleaner environment. Most of it is already there in the IT city.
However, here the needs would be different. They want a better AQI (Air Quality Index), more walkable streets, or less traffic congestion.
You really need to balance things. Just because I need to give a road in Quthbullapur doesn’t mean I will not talk about AQI or a walkable street in Madhapur. Both are important to me. I will have to plan my resources and energies accordingly.
NM: Since the IT zone is already rich and built, while other zones need development, as you said. How best will the corporations use the revenue since Cyberabad is the richest municipal body?
Srijana: Yes, it’s not necessarily that revenue coming from one place has to be spent there only. The funds can be utilised according to need. It is a common pool.
NM: The Cyberabad zone records the highest tax returns. Is there any policy to pump revenue directly into local infrastructure to ensure the amenities match the economic output?
Srijana: As we know, after trifurcation, this will be one of the most revenue-generating corporations. Because of the property tax revenue or building plans, the revenue is a little more. So, funds-wise, I don’t think there will be a dearth.
However, there is a need for planned development.And for much bigger projects, like H-City, we would need the help of the state government, where probably our own resources might not be enough.
So state government’s help or some Government of India projects will have to be brought in to improve the quality of life.
NM: May we know how much property tax is expected?
Srijana: With different resources together, it should be about ₹1400 to ₹1500 crore per annum.
NM: Are resources still being shared with the other corporations, or is it standalone?
Srijana: We are yet to divide the resources between the three corporations. And of course, the loans, liabilities, and assets, everything has to be divided. There is a committee formed to finalise it. Based on its report, we will divide our assets and liabilities.
NM: This area is being called a concrete jungle due to recent developments/constructions leaving little space. Do you have plans to increase biodiversity, rainwater harvesting, or groundwater levels?
Srijana: Very important. First thing, because of concretization, what has happened is traffic congestion. People are vexed or sometimes very frustrated with the congestion. So easing that is a greater priority. It’s not always about widening roads; we can give more underpasses, more flyovers. It’s more about flow management. I need to work in close coordination with the police on this issue.
Having said this, it is also important to give them green and recreational spaces. There are nice lakes around. If I can make them pollution-free and make them a nice place to hang out, that improves the quality of life. It’s not always about monetization; it’s about the value the asset can bring to the quality of life.
We have a lot of potential. In this concrete jungle, you can have an oasis. For example, Durgam Cheruvu really looks like an oasis of hope to me. You have tall skyscrapers around, but people really want to go there and spend time, and you can build economic zones and entertainment zones around it.
NM: You recently inspected Neknampur Lake. Many lakes seem to have sewage issues?
Srijana: Yes, I have been inspecting lakes recently. These are all hidden gems. We probably don’t even know the value of preserving them.
I was very happy to find out that Kudikunta Lake has been restored. The AQI, which was about 400 or 350 before restoration, is now 21 to 25. Just because you diverted the sewerage, made that lake pollution-free, and added some plants, the AQI dramatically fell. Imagine the good that it is doing for the health of the people living around it. That is an opportunity cost.
Earlier, the place had been converted into a sewage dump yard. My role is to sensitize the public. All those things were rejuvenated by private people only. Cyberabad has people who are active, outspoken, and willing to contribute. We need to act like a bridge.