SCB-GHMC Merger Is a Win-Win for Locals, Property Owners and Builders

Hyderabad: The defence ministry's announcement about merging the civilian areas of Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) with GHMC has significant implications for property owners and those residing in the cantonment limits.

Once the merger with GHMC is finalised, several benefits are anticipated. Property registration stamp duty in SCB is currently 11 per cent, significantly higher than GHMC's 7.5 per cent. This higher rate is due to the inclusion of the transfer of property tax (TPT) in the registration charges. Post-merger, SCB residents will benefit from lower stamp duty rates and a more streamlined approval process for building permissions, an SCB official told Deccan Chronicle.

The floor space index (FSI) in cantonment is restricted to G+2, whereas GHMC permits construction beyond G+3 in some areas. Moreover, the board includes parking, cellar and balcony areas in FSI calculations, unlike GHMC, he added.

According to a report, the property rates in prime SCB locations like Marredpally, Mahendra Hills, Bowenpally and Trimulgherry range from `80,000 to `1.5 lakh per square yard for residential properties, and `one lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh per square yard for commercial properties.

Another significant challenge in SCB is the lengthy approval process for building permissions, often taking up to two years due to infrequent board meetings. Additionally, there are stringent requirements, such as obtaining an NOC from the airport authorities if the plot is in the buffer zone, Karan Nayak, a resident and real estate agent in Bowenpally, said.

The merger is expected to expedite infrastructure projects, improve civic amenities and boost road connectivity. Residents hope to see a final resolution to long-standing issues like traffic congestion and the opening of roads that have been closed.

The integration with GHMC is also anticipated to improve basic civic facilities, such as sanitation, water supply and medical services, which are currently inadequate in many SCB areas. Some of them are the promises of Sriganesh Narayan, Cantonment MLA.

Builders and residents are optimistic that the merger will lead to better infrastructure and development opportunities, making the area more attractive for investments, improvements in terms of reduced taxes, better infrastructure, and streamlined administrative processes, addressing many of the current challenges faced by SCB residents and property owners.