Hyderabad: Stating that the TRS was indebted to voters who gave 100 seats to the party in the GHMC elections in 2016, Municipal minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday said that the party will fulfil all its election promises and make Hyderabad a global city. “TRS didn’t have a single corporator in GHMC till 2015. But in 2016, citizens voted for the TRS and gave us 100 seats, a historic first. People, irrespective of caste, creed or religion reposed immense faith in us. We are indebted to them and will ensure all our election promises to make Hyderabad a global city are fulfilled by the end of our term,” Mr Rao told the Legislative Assembly.
He said the government has focussed on improving infrastructure, roads, cleanliness and sanitation. Mr Rao said the process to demolish illegal buildings on nalas will be continued and corruption in building approvals has been checked with the introduction of online approval system. He said GHMC got highest ever Rs 1,000 crore in Budget this year, while it was less than Rs 175 crore in previous governments.
The minister said that all urban local bodies, including the GHMC, will be made open defaecation-free by June 2 this year. However, the BJP staged a walkout, alleging that the TRS failed to fulfil any of its GHMC poll promises. “There are 12,000 illegal structures on nalas and it requires Rs 6,200 crore to remove them. That’s why we want to take up demolition in phases.
Similarly, there are 17,891 illegal structures on nalas across the state, of which, 3,150 have been demolished so far. There are 5,400 dilapidated buildings of which 1,400 were demolished,” Mr Rao said. He added the government will take up beautification on heritage structures in the city by giving rebates on property tax and other incentives. “We will open an escrow account. The property tax and other incentives amount will be credited into the account and the funds will be used for maintenance and beautification of heritage structures,” Mr Rao said.
He said SRDP programme will be expedited and skyways will be built as soon as the case in NGT is resolved. “We have readied plans to build three skyways along Amberpet-Uppal-Ghatkesar stretch, JBS-Shamirpet, Patny-Suchitra Circle stretch to decongest roads and ensure smooth flow of traffic. We have sought Centre’s assistance. Even if Centre does not come forward, we will take up these projects,” Mr Rao remarked. He said the municipal department got Rs 5,000 crore in Budget and another Rs 5,000 crore would be mobilised through loans, which will be entirely used for city roads.
