Tough time for mall owners in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Construction of the NPM Mall near Nagarjuna Circle, the NCC Construction site at Jubilee Hills check post and at a few other places is moving at a slow pace, as owners are struggling to get clients following a government order issued banning construction of malls, theatres, hospitals and schools near road junctions.

Businessmen are hesitating from taking properties on rent fearing that the GHMC may stall the construction in due course. Crores of rupees have been pumped into these constructions, including building permission fee to the GHMC.
Unless the government relaxes norms, developers said, things would be very difficult.

The government issued the order in October banning construction at 250 road junctions. “A majority of these junctions face severe traffic problems due to the presence of major commercial establishments,” the order said. Restrictions will be imposed on construction of other buildings near junctions, it said.
The order mandated any private builder constructing a building at such locations to leave a 3.5-metre space from the junction, which will be utilised to widen the road, the order said. The ban will be extended to other municipal corporations. 

At Patny circle, the CMR  group has undertaken construction of a complex. 
At Jubilee Hills check post, one acre of land would be required from the NCC project for the proposed multi-grade separators.

“We had paid the GHMC Rs 3.7 crore for building permission and charges for land registration. Commercial establishments generate crores of rupees for the government. The government should safeguard our interests,” a developer said, adding, “We are finding it difficult to convince clients to take up properties.”
The government has also announced construction of slip roads at 221 junctions to reduce waiting time for commuters wishing to take a left turn. Land has to be acquired for these slip roads. A survey by the GHMC and the traffic police revealed that most of the land that needed to be acquired was government property. 

Slip roads will be constructed at these junctions first. The civic body will start negotiations with private owners for their land.