The silt piled up in the open drains has become a major cause for concern for the authorities of Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT), as this is seen as the primary reason for the submergence of the low-lying areas during thundershowers.

With the monsoon season expected to set in by October for Tirupati and its neighbouring villages, the officials have hastened the process of de-silting the drains. Though it is supposed to have begun a month ago, the progress of the work is learnt to be far from satisfactory.

MCT Commissioner N. Mourya, accompanied by officials of the Engineering and Health departments, inspected the various open drains in the city on Friday to get first-hand information on the progress of the ongoing work.

While instructing the officials to complete the silt removal work in the next two or three days, Ms. Mourya also wanted them to dispose it away from the city.

She directed the staff to ensure the garbage vulnerable points (GVPs), identified in different parts of the city, were clean and hygienic.

Superintending Engineer T. Mohan, municipal engineers M. Chandrasekhar and Venkatarami Reddy and Health Officer Yuva Anvesh were present.

–eom