Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to seek Rs 15,000 crore for city development

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation will seek at least Rs 15,000 crore as financial support from the first government of Telangana to give the much-needed fillip to “Brand Hyderabad,” in the next five years.

The civic body wants to improve the existing civic, transport and environmental infrastructure in the city at an estimated cost of over Rs 15,000 to make it more people-friendly and add to the brand image of Hyderabad.

President of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Srinivas Ayyadevara said that ‘Brand Hyderabad’ has the potential of attracting investments, tourists and people.

“The new government of Telangana should continue the existing industrial and IT policies for the next five to eight years with little more incentive to the manufacturing sector and adequate power supply at reasonable prices. Civic bodies can add to the city’s image by improving existing infrastructure and make the state capital a good place to live in,” Mr Ayyadevara said.

GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar reiterated the need for over Rs 6,000 crore for laying of storm water drainage network, Rs 4,000 crore for comprehensive road development based on projected traffic volume in the next five to 10 years, including underground ducts along roads so that the corridors are not dug up for 10 to 15 years once the road is laid.

The city should be cleaner and greener, and will need the support of the State. Major city and colony level parks must be developed, garbage should be lifted on time and its transportation improved, rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge and several other projects in the core city and surrounding municipalities to be undertaken he pointed out.