Hyderabad: As had been sought by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the Centre has accorded “smart city” status to Karimnagar in place of Hyderabad.
Mr Rao had written to the Centre last December to consider giving smart city status to Karimnagar instead of Hyderabad and had sought Rs 1,000 crore per year as special funds for Hyderabad being a metro city. While approving the smart city status for Karimnagar, the Centre, however, is silent on granting special funds for Hyderabad.
A letter sent by Mr Munish Kumar Garg, director, Smart Cities, to chief secretary Rajiv Sharma stated, “I am directed to your letter dated 7.12.2015, addressed to secretary (Urban Development) and to convey that as recommended by the HPSC meeting held on 7.12.2015, the competent authority has approved the request for inclusion of Karimnagar municipal corporation in place of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in the smart city challenge.”
The Chief Minister had written to Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, requesting to replace Hyderabad in the list of smart cities with Karimnagar city.
What’s in the city
Karimnagar witnesses a large number of tourists each year, from November to February.
Population: 2,61,185, Literacy rate: 84.93%,
Civic Budget for 2016-17: Rs 253.88 Crore
