40-ft road norm ignored for Johnson & Johnson
The heavy-traffic area does not even have any footpath for lakhs of pedestrians. People are forced to walk on the road, facing the risk of being hit by passing vehicles. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: The swift clearances given by the TS government to industries wanting to set up manufacturing units in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority jurisdiction, do not go parallel with the Corporation’s rule book.
The GO 168 states that permission for an industry can only be sanctioned once a road of minimum 40 feet width is developed. However, the speedy permissions has sidelined these government orders.
The Johnson & Johnson unit, which was given a green signal for a manufacturing unit at Kothur, Mahbubnagar, has an approach road of only 23-26 feet, not meeting the minimum requirement. The company plans to invest Rs 400 crore in the plant to be located on a 47-acre site.
As per HMDA regulations, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development master plan has certain zones like residential, industrial and educational. Permission is only granted if the said industry falls under the earmarked zone. The second most important factor is the existing approach road, which should be of minimum 40 feet width.
The site is first examined, including the road, and approval is given only then. In case the approach road is in the process of development, the proposal is approved, but released only once the road is completed.
“In case of Johnson & Johnson, HMDA had approved the proposal following a letter from them and the Industrial department on conditional basis. HMDA had asked them to develop the road within three months.
HMDA had also asked them to acquire the allotted adjoining land and build an approach road within 60 days. But post examination, only a 27-feet road could be developed. However the unit got a nod and is being set up,” said an HMDA officer who didn’t want to be named.
It is alleged that Proctor & Gamble, which is also setting up its unit, had laid an approach road through a water body. “If the government can amend the rules earlier passed, it will be an easy task for HMDA to approve industries without the officers becoming scapegoats,” he added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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