Is Wi-Fi going to play a vital role in upcoming GHMC elections? Yes, says some of the party’s manifestoes. Each and every party has turned Wi-Fi as the leitmotif of their manifestoes pushing some serious urban issues to the background. Whether it is true or not, the politicians are thinking that Wi-Fi is a solution for all the problems faced by the citizens of Hyderabad such as Traffic Jam, Vehicular Pollution forcing us to wear masks, Drinking water, drains and piling garbage.

No sensible citizen would vouch for it, but the way political parties beginning with TRS have turned Wi-Fi as the leitmotif of their manifestoes for the coming elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, it creates the impression of being a one-size-fits-all solution. While it is nobody’s case to underestimate Wi-Fi’s role in a growing city, the question is, should political parties flaunt and promote it so aggressively?

Take the case of traffic jams. No manifesto, either of the ruling TRS or opposition Congress, TDP-BJP combine or MIM, talks about ways of overcoming this problem, everyday grind that a citizen has to go through. TRS made a mention about its pet Strategic Road Development Plan, skyways and 42 km-long roads along the Musi river bank, but they are all too futuristic, long term in nature with no deadline.

No political party talks about simple solutions such as restoring and expanding the carriageway of the existing roads and the footpaths by removing encroachments. Vehicular pollution has been rising like Hyderabad may soon turn into another Delhi unless tough measures are taken. One has to only look at the alarming pollution levels at Punjagutta and other crossroads, the way the GHMC’s run down garbage carrying vehicles or the condemned RTC buses or the kerosene-run auto-rickshaws ply on roads with contempt, to understand the gravity of the situation.

Choking and flow of waste water from manhole covers is a familiar sight on many roads. Seen along the garbage piles on roadsides, the ever shrinking greenery and the open spaces, the talk of transforming Hyderabad into a world class city looks perfunctory.