Lack of coordination too delays SRDP, say officials

Hyderabad: Factors contributing to the delay in the completion of works under the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP), besides the financial crisis, are utility shifting and a lack of coordination between various wings of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Officials say that execution of the project has become a herculean task. 

Instructions issued by the minister for municipal administration and urban development, K.T. Rama Rao, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. During a review meeting conducted in February, he told government departments involved in the execution of the SRDP to function in a coordinated manner and speed up project works. He also asked them to reduce the duration of the tenders for the shifting of water and electricity lines. 

The minister told officials of the Water Board, TS Transco, CPDCL and GHMC to avoid halting works while financial transactions between departments were being completed. He also spoke with district collectors and officers from the revenue department regarding land acquisition for the construction of flyovers and underpasses as part of the SRDP.  

However, officials from line departments and officials from the corporation have not been co-operating to speed up the execution of the project.

A senior GHMC official said that some SRDP works were proceeding at a snail’s pace due to delays in utility shifting and land acquisition. “Despite several requests, officials have been exhibiting a lack of enthusiasm towards the project. The GHMC has started constructing of underpasses and flyovers where minimal property acquisition is involved. The project will not gain pace unless officials and the departmental staff work in coordination,” he said.