Hyderabad: Even though the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has completed underground ducting for laying electricity cables, water and sewage lines under the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CCP), the Electricity department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) have been demanding whopping amounts to shift the electric poles and lay underground cables through the ducts, and shift the sewerage and drinking water lines.
According highly placed sources in the corporation, both nodal agencies have been demanding about Rs 50 crore from the GHMC to shift the utilities. Sources said that both departments claim that they are facing a severe funds crunch and they cannot shift the electricity poles and sewerage lines without external financial aid.
Asked about this, a senior GHMC official said that the corporation has already sought exemption from funds. The officials said that Chief Secretary S. K. Joshi had in principle agreed to the exemption proposal.
The GHMC official said that the corporation was not in a strong financial position to fund the utility shifting as it has already spent Rs 150 crore in acquiring properties for widening the inner ring road and stone laying works.
