Huda Gears Up For 21st Century

Hyderabad, a historical city founded in 1591 by Mohd.Quli Qutubshah, was planned for a population of about 5.00 lakhs. As per 1991 census, the population of the Hyderabad Development Area recorded at 46.66 lakhs with a decadal growth of 56% ranking 5th in population among the major metropolitan cities in India. In decadal growth it ranks second. Of its total working force of 13.53 lakhs, representing 29% of total population, territory sector takes major share of 8.06 lakhs, ranking 2nd next to Delhi. Even its geographical area is higher than the Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Bangalore Metropolitan areas. Its urban periphery which was 367 Sq.Kms., in 1981, increased to 726 sq.kms in 1991.

 

In order to regulate the development and growth of Hyderabad and its environs, the Government of Andhra Pradesh constituted on 2nd October, 1975, the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority as a premier agency for planning and orderly development of Hyderabad.

HYDERABAD MASTER PLAN - 2011

The HUDA is a multi-disciplined professional body in urban planning and architecture, engineering, urban forestry etc. The first Master Plan was notified in 1980 providing for sectoral development like circulation system, traffic generation, population distribution, system of open spaces and conservation areas, public conveniences including population aspects etc., As envisaged in this Master Plan, HUDA on its part had itself undertaken a number of schemes like development of Ring Towns, Commercial Centres, Truck Terminals/Parking lots, Traffic Improvement and regulation schemes, shifting of whole sale markets etc.,

The growing population, the vertical and horizontal growth of the city and its surroundings, the expanding economic and commercial activities, the effect of technological development of traffic and transportation and environment, made to realize the future prospects of the city in the years ahead and to give reorientation to the metropolitan planning. This enabled HUDA to prepare a policy document of Hyderabad Master Plan for 2011 covering all Urban sectors and collected the views of professions and academicians in all India Workshop held in August 1994. The various recommendations emerged in the workshop concerning every aspect of urban planning and development are being processed and HUDA hopes to come out with the draft Master Plan for 2011 very shortly for public suggestions before it is finally notified for implementation on the ground.

While the draft Hyderabad Master Plan 2011 guiding the future planning and development of the city, is receiving final touches, HUDA has already initiated a number of measures giving priority for providing and improving the urban infrastructure.

BUDDHA POORNIMA

PROJECT

As a part of the Buddha Poornima Project for beautification and development of the foreshores of Hussainsagar Lake, HUDA has developed Lumbini Park which is attracting good crowds. The main attraction being the dancing musical water formation and floral clock. The park has a good landscape developed an area of 5 acres. There is a boating facility from the Jatties to Buddha Statue for the attraction of visitors operated by the APTTDC. Under the expansion schemes of Lumbini Park, an electronic play park exclusively for children is proposed.

NECKLACE ROAD

As a component under Megacity and part of BPP, the HUDA has taken up construction of Necklace Road around Hussainsagar Lake connecting Khairtabad flyover and Sanjeevaiah park in the clock-wise direction connecting the Airport Road. The first phase of this project consists of formation of road of about 3.6 Kms. length and 40 mts. wide with four bridges at the periphery of the lake abutting the rail line. The Necklace road will provide yet another important road link between the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, reducing the travel distance by about 3 Kms. It is estimated that there will be saving of over three crores per annum for the general public in the operational cost due to reduced travel time. The construction of Necklace road under Phase-I is almost complete and it will be open for traffic once the fourth bridge near Sanjeevaiah park is completed in about three months time. The Second phase of works for B.T. illumination, greenery is being taken up shortly.

HYDERABAD BY-PASS EXPRESS WAY

In order to relieve the city roads from traffic congestion with the inter city trucks passing through the city, the HUDA will implement the scheme of Hyderabad By-Pass Express Way while inviting private entrepreneurs to take up this project under build, operate and transfer basis (BOT). The Hyderabad BY-Pass Express Way will connect the National Highways 7 and 9 i.e. Hyderabad - Bombay - Vijayawada, Hyderabad - Bangalore, Hyderabad - Nagpur and will provide a link encircling the Hyderabad Development area.

N.T.R.GARDENS

The HUDA has taken up development of a beautiful park named after late Sri.N.T.Rama Rao, Former Chief Minister, A.P. and Buddha Poornima area at an estimated cost of Rs.12.00 crores in an area of about 55.00 acres on the lines of Lumbini Park. The work on this project has since commenced.

HYDERABAD GREENBELT PROJECT

On environment side, HUDA has taken up a gigantic project for development of greenery, known as Hyderabad Greenbelt Project, it proposes development of about 5000 Hectares of land with 100 lakh plants in 5 years and the project already commenced in April, 1994.This project is implemented by HUDA, MCH, QQSUDA, FOREST DEPARTMENT, HMWS&SB and NGOs. During the past two years, about 20 lakhs seedlings were planted in about 1300 hectares and in the 1996 season itself 15 lakh saplings have been planted - a matter of high performance and the Government of India/Government of Netherlands have commended the work of HUDA in this direction.

SITES AND SERVICES SCHEMES

The question is about the funds to take up all these major activities by HUDA. Besides the funds under Megacity project, HUDA is asked to borrow funds from financial institutions for remunerative schemes and for others, Government would place vacant lands at the disposal of HUDA for development and disposal and to the utilise the sale proceeds for the above schemes. About 97 acres of Government land in prime area of Jubilee Hills has been transferred to HUDA for residential plots. Another 30 acres of Government land has been given to HUDA in Madhapur for development of sites for Software Entrepreneurs.

These plots were auctioned during February, March, 1996 and January, 1997 in which many NRIs. from countries like U.K., USA and Middle East have participated and purchased these plots and the HUDA could fetch an all time record amount of about Rs.65.00 crores by way of sale proceeds , which are being utilised for various developmental programmes including Megacity Project.