A new master plan to propel Hyderabad’s growth

Minister KT Rama Rao revealed that the government was allowing unlimited FSI (Floor Space Index) in the State, to ensure that the construction sector which is already facing hardship due to demonetisation and subsequent Covid-19 pandemic, does not suffer any further. Some builders were announcing plans to construct 6-10 lakh sq.ft in just one acre land and he wondered why are they so much greedy. The Minister suggested that developers should exercise self-regulation before the government imposes restrictions on unlimited FSI. It was suggested to have 4.5 or 5 FSI per acre. “Otherwise, there will be a situation where restrictions will be imposed on the lines of Bengaluru,” he cautioned. If the developers take up construction of skyscrapers without focusing on basic needs as well as parking, drinking water and sewerage systems, the pressure on Hyderabad will increase multi-fold. Therefore, the construction associations should create awareness to their respective members in this regard. He opined that the builders should definitely aim for their profits, but there should be a limit to it as well. “This city is like a duck laying golden eggs and if we decide to kill it for our greed, Hyderabad will be ruined forever,” he said. He suggested that the builders utilise TDRs for constructing more floors rather than misusing unlimited FSI. He urged construction associations to partners with the government in urban development and take steps towards creating employment opportunities for the local youth.

Rama Rao revealed that the city was generating more than 2,000 million litres of sewerage per day and hence, works have been taken up to establish the Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) to ensure 100 per cent sewerage treatment by the end of this year at a cost of Rs 3,866 crore. This would be a new record-of-sorts in the country. He recalled that Chief Justice of the Supreme Court NV Ramana had recently appreciated the government for developing the new roads infrastructure in Hyderabad. About 148 new link roads are being developed around Hyderabad and 19 flyovers and underpasses are being developed under SRDP (Strategic Road Development Programme). Unless precautionary measures were taken, Hyderabad could turn into Bengaluru. He said that a large scale plantation was taken up with the intention to make Hyderabad an eco-friendly city. He allayed the fears that the construction sector in Hyderabad has collapsed. Instead, the recent Knight Frank report declared that the inventory (pending properties on sale) has decreased from 53 months in 2021 to 23 months in 2022. He said that the cement and steel companies were artificially inflating prices and the government would impose restrictions on them. He reminded that Amazon was investing $ 2.77 billion and Microsoft was investing $ 2 billion, while new data centres were coming up in Muchcherla and Chandanvelly.

Apart from areas like Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kokapet and Kollur, many developers are unaware of the opportunities places like Genome Valley, Sultanpur and Dundigail. Instead, he suggested that builders expand their operations to other cities and towns. “Only if we go out and do business elsewhere, one would appreciate the efforts of our State government. Is there any system like TS-bPASS anywhere in the country? One would easily realise that it is not easy to get clearances in other States and the difference in governance is also evident,” he poined out.

Specialised training centre for young

The Minister observed that about 60 to 70 per cent of those who are working at any construction site in Hyderabad, belong to Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa or Rajasthan. Carpentry, interiors works or any other works, are also done by migrant workers from other States. Then what are those who are natives of Telangana are doing? They are going to Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar and other middle-eastern countries where they toil in hot temperatures for a monthly salary of just Rs 25,000. They are working in these company by staying in labour camps. “Though they can earn much more in Hyderabad itself, skilled workers from Kamareddy, Nirmal, Karimnagar and surrounding areas are going to the Gulf countries for work. There is a miss-match somewhere as the same work is done in Hyderabad as well as the Gulf countries,” he said.

He stated that the government was willing to work with the construction associations to resolve this issue. “If you are game for it, let us establish a new training centre jointly. Let’s give confidence to the youngsters in Telangana by training them here and ensuring them jobs in local companies. The National Academy of Construction is largely catering to the contractors. Though you are investing crores of rupees, paying lakhs of rupees as taxes and providing employment to lakhs of people, you are struggling whenever the migrant workers from other States leave for their native places. Why should we have such a grave situation? Instead, let us train our youth and provide them blue collar jobs. Let’s first initiate this plan with CREDAI Hyderabad and if succeeded, we shall expand to CREDAI Telangana as well. The government is ready to establish an institute and other support system. But we too need your support in establishing it to meet the industry needs,” he urged.

Process for repeal of GO 111
started during YSR regime!

The Minister recalled that the process of repealing the GO 111 commenced during the YSR regime and a committee was also constituted in this regard. Even before the State formation in 2014, TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao announced in numerous public meetings in Chevella, Vikarabad and Rajendranagar that his government would revoke the GO 111. He reminded that the twin reservoirs catered to nearly 27 per cent of the drinking water needs of Hyderabad and Secunderabad till a few years ago. However, Hyderabad is no more dependent on these twin reservoirs for water, due to adequate supply of water from both Godavari and Krishna Rivers. “Under these circumstance, why should we deny the development for people living in those 84 villages named in GO 111 and make them suffer? What is wrong if we take all precautions like installation of effecient STPs adequately to ensure that these areas especially the twin reservoirs do not get polluted like Hussain Sagar?” he questioned.

Rama Rao said that the Congress and the BJP as well as many other political parties have been promising the people residing in villages under GO 111 that they would repeal the order, but were running malicious campaign that Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao revoked the GO 111 only for his own benefit. “With 1.32 lakh acres lying under GO 111, one can promote horizontal growth and develop a new city in over 535 sq km area in a planned manner. Let us develop these areas in an environmental-friendly manner, without disturbing the growth of Hyderabad. There shall not be any doubts or misconceptions about it,” he assured. He stated that due to the vision of KCR, about 600 MGD water has been made availble for Hyderabad city. Another 300 MGD water will be made available for supply from Mallanna Sagar and Kondapochamma Sagar. Thus, people of Hyderabad will be able to get drinking water through their tap connections on a daily basis and for more hours soon.