Hyderabad: The state government will prepare a master plan to develop Hyderabad city as a global city by dividing it into three parts the city within the Outer Ring Road, and the city beyond the ORR and the city within the proposed Regional Ring Road.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said the master plan would be drafted by the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) in consultation with national and international experts, keeping in view the future needs of the city.
Speaking during a review meeting with officials, Mr Rao said, “We need to identify areas with specific reference — education city, sports city, cinema city, health city, etc — treating each one as a special entity. Permissions are to be given accordingly.”
“The area is to be utilised for the purpose for which it is meant. Under any circumstances the master plan cannot be violated. An Act will be passed that any change to the master plan shall be done with the consent of the Cabinet, Mr Rao said.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that instead of depending on a small body like the HMDA for implementation of the master plan, there should be a larger body consisting of experts drawn from various fields like sewerage, drinking water, power lines, traffic and environment.
Instructing officials to get the master plan drafted in three months, Mr Rao said funds would be allocated and released by the government.
He advised officials to take into consideration the status of Hyderabad, its population, condition of the roads and traffic conditions and the condition of other facilities like sewerage system, power supply position and green cover.
“If all these aspects are taken into consideration, we should make a decision and assess scientifically what would be Hyderabad after 10 years. Accordingly, the master plan has to be prepared,” Mr Rao said.
He said Hyderabad was developing quickly and there was largescale migration into the city for employment. “This is adding five to six lakh population to Hyderabad annually,” Mr Rao said. He noted that nearly two crore people use the Shamshabad airport every year. “All these things help the the economic development of the city which is a very happy thing,”
He said if Hyderabad was not developed in tune with the increasing population and their needs, life in the city would become miserable.
“As of now, Hyderabad appears to be all right but unless we awaken now and prepare for the future the situation would be go of control,” Mr Rao said.
Among the problem the city faces, the CM mentioned the Musi river which he said was “totally spoiled and has become a drain.” He said pollution was rising, there were traffic problems and green cover was coming down.
He said polluting industries must be shifted out from the city and industrial estates which are not in use should be converted into green areas and parks. He instructed officials that the 1.5 lakh acres of forest blocks in and around Hyderabad should be rejuvenated.
