The efforts of BRS government have earned encomiums from all sections as the planned development of Madhapur, the Financial District and other peripheral areas now resemble a Western city such as New York. The State government has spent Rs. 1,21,294 crore for creating infrastructure facilities in urban areas during 2014-23, said Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao.
Releasing the development report, he said earlier governments spent Rs. 26,211.50 crore during 2004-2014. The present BRS government spent 462 per cent more than what was spent by the successive governments. The State government spent Rs. 1,11,360 crore while the Centre contributed a mere Rs. 9,934 crore which was the rightful share of the state government and nothing additional. Mr Rama Rao said a major portion of the fund was spent under the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The state government spent Rs. 44,021.99 crore in 2014-2023 as against the Rs. 4,636.38 crore spent by the earlier government during 2004-2014. That is eight and a half times more than what the earlier Congress government spent under GHMC jurisdiction for the Hyderabad city development.
As the state government provided enough funds, the GHMC could come up with projects such as SRDP, CRMP, HRDA and SANDP to create more infrastructure. The Municipal Minister said as many as 35 fly-overs and underpasses were constructed to ease traffic congestion in the city. It was aimed at increasing the speed from 15 to 35 kilometres. A total of Rs. 3,629,93 crore was spent to execute 35 works – 19 flyovers, five underpasses, seven ROBs, a cable bridge and three other works. In the second phase, plans for high infra works with Rs. 4,422.99 crore are underway. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 12,000 crore.
While the state government is going at breakneck speed completing the infrastructure works, the flyover from Uppal – Amberpet taken up by the Central government is going at a snail’s pace, he pointed out. The Minister ecxplained that the double-decker skyways on Shamirpet and Medchal sides and increased compartments in metro rail are among the future plans.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao.