Hyderabad:
The Congress government is focusing on developing Hyderabad, a city growing rapidly on the global stage. Despite its fast growth, Hyderabad still needs better infrastructure like wider roads, a scientific traffic system, improved public transport, and proper drainage and sewerage systems.
A single heavy rain can disrupt daily life in the city. In addition to better planning, the city also needs to address the increasing demand for drinking water to avoid problems similar to those in Delhi. To tackle these issues, the Finance Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, has allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the city’s development. This is the first time such a large amount has been set aside for civic services in Hyderabad.
The Finance Minister mentioned that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and Metro Water Works Board will be crucial in the city’s modernization. Specifically, Rs 3,065 crore is earmarked for GHMC, Rs 500 crore for HMDA, and Rs 3,385 crore for the Metro Water Works Board. Additionally, Rs 200 crore is allocated for the Hyderabad Disaster Relief and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRA), Rs 100 crore for extending the Metro rail to the airport, Rs 200 crore for the Outer Ring Road (ORR), Rs 500 crore for the Metro rail to the Old City, Rs 50 crore for MMTS, and Rs 1,500 crore for the Musi Riverfront Project.
Though the government has earned crores from land sales around Hyderabad in the past, the funds were not used for the city’s improvement. Now, the government plans to develop 78.4 kilometers of extended corridors with an investment of Rs 24,042 crore. This project includes extending the Metro rail to the Old City and connecting it to Shamshabad airport. Key stations at Nagole, LB Nagar, and Chandrayanagutta will become interchange stations, and the Metro rail will extend from Miyapur to Patancheru and LB Nagar to Hayathnagar.
The Musi Riverfront Project aims to revive the ecosystem around the Musi River and improve 110 kilometers of urban area. This project will create recreation zones, people’s plazas, children’s theme parks, and entertainment zones, modeled after London’s Thames Riverfront Project.
The Outer Ring Road (ORR) has significantly contributed to Hyderabad’s rapid growth. The minister emphasized the need to replicate this success in other parts of the state through the construction of the Regional Ring Road. The northern road from Sanga Reddy to Toopran, Gajwel, and Choutuppal is 158.6 kilometers, while the southern road from Choutuppal to Shadnagar and Sanga Reddy is 189 kilometers. These roads are proposed to be upgraded to National Highways.
The Regional Ring Road will be built to expressway standards. The northern part is estimated to cost Rs 13,522 crore, and the southern part will cost Rs 12,980 crore. This year, the government plans to spend Rs 1,525 crore on constructing the Regional Ring Road.
