The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : HUDA wraps up 2007 on a satisfactory note

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

HUDA wraps up 2007 on a satisfactory note

M.L. Melly Maitreyi

Provision of recreation space earns it the goodwill of people

Makes significant shift towards major infrastructure projects
Laser show to be revived at Lumbini Park from January 1

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

New Year Gift: The Vittalwadi Park at Narayanguda is all set for inauguration for the new year.

HYDERABAD: As the year 2007 draws to a close, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority has enough reasons to feel satisfied.

However much it drew flak for its land auctions from Left and other parties and squarely blamed for jacking up land prices, HUDA managed to garner goodwill of people, mainly in the suburbs, by providing the much-needed recreation space.

Apparently enthused by the overwhelming response to the new parks at Vanasthalipuram, Saroornagar, it is all set to inaugurate the Narayanguda Park on December 27 and ring in the new year with the revival of its popular Laser Show at Lumbini Park on January 1.

The year, however, saw HUDA making a significant shift towards focussing more on major infrastructure projects and reiterating auctions as the only way to raise funds.

Master plan

Despite lukewarm response to its auctions in the recent months which officials say is more to do with the real estate slump rather than reflection on the organisation’s image, HUDA notched up quite a few achievements in its core areas - Planning, Infrastructure Development and Environment.

The finalisation of Outer Ring Road Growth Corridor Zonal regulations, initiating the process for developing master plan for the extended area under HMDA and special development plan for Jawahar Nagar are the positive features in the planning side, says HUDA Vice-Chairman Jayesh Ranjan.

In infrastructure development, it secured financial package for the entire ORR project including the JBIC aid for the third phase and also important radial roads connecting the core city to ORR, grounded work on the ORR second phase, and ensured smooth progress of Phase I work to provide connectivity to the International Airport. The work on the longest Elevated Expressway in the country from Mehdipatnam to Aramghar too is making reasonable progress. Other notable projects that were recently finalised are Hitech city flyover, Underwater Aquarium at Miralam tank, truck terminal etc.

By planting 25 lakh saplings during the year in the metropolitan region and restoring three more highly polluted lakes by setting up sewage treatment plants at Miralam, Durgam and Peddacheruvu, finalising major project of Hussainsagar clean-up, HUDA kept up its commitment for better environment, Mr . Ranjan said.

Favourable judgement

But what certainly came as a relief to HUDA is the resolution of Kokapet Golden Mile project in its favour. “The favourable judgement on the merit of the case rather than on technical grounds was heartening for us,” said Mr. Ranjan. The most painful event, however, was the bomb blast at Lumbini Laserium which claimed 12 lives on August 25.

The incident forever altered the security perceptions at its popular parks.

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