Hyderabad: The GHMC has decided to put on hold the facade development that was to be part of the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project.
A corporation official said that after discussing the matter with the state government, it was felt that the facade development is not viable as it will cost Rs 30 crore, which the civic body cannot spare. The corporation then reduced the budget from Rs 30 crore to Rs 8 crore, but that will not be sufficient to renovate even 50 per cent of the properties.
The facade development involves replication of the arches of the Charminar at the entrance of shops and signboards in the surrounding lanes. It involves not only developing government properties but private properties within a two-km radius of the Charminar to bring the “heritage look” to the project.
GHMC officials claim they cannot renovate even 60 per cent of the properties with the current funds and private agencies will not come forward to fund the project under corporate social responsibility.
A senior GHMC official said the developmental activities include uniform display boards and giving shops in Laad Bazaar a heritage facade.
He said that the decrease in funds has been a major disappointment for the corporation.
However, the corporation as of now has zeroed in on three properties for renovation based on the outcome of the budget proposals that will be submitted to the state government for enhancement.
The GHMC said that as promised, the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPCL) had handed over sweeping machines as a part of its corporate social responsibility.
