The Business Line 16.07.2009
Rs 10,000-cr plan to modernise GHMC drainage system
An 80-km stretch of the 160 km of Outer Ring Road will be ready by the year-end and the rest of the project by 2012.
Our Bureau
Hyderabad, July 15
The Andhra Pradesh Government is considering a proposal to take up modernisation of drainage system in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) which will entail an investment of about Rs 10,000 crore.
Briefing newspersons after a meeting of the State Cabinet, the State Information Minister, Ms J. Geetha Reddy, said that the Cabinet, while reviewing the progress of major ongoing projects in the GHMC, said that this project to revamp the drainage system is top on the agenda.
Referring to the Outer Ring Road project, she said that 80-km stretch of the 160 km planned by the GHMC would be ready by the year-end and the rest of the project by 2012, bringing about a major change in the traffic movement and development of the city.
Apco performance
On the performance of APCO and weavers cooperatives, the Minister said that the Government has decided to extend guarantees till 2012 which will enable it to enjoy access to funds.
The Cabinet was pleased with APCO performance whose turnover has gone up from Rs 112 crore in 2005-2006 to Rs 190 crore in 2008-2009. The performance of APCO in the first half has been very encouraging with support from various Government departments. It registered revenue of Rs 96 crore in the first half, she said.
While one lakh weavers are securing loans from APCO, a committee of Group of Ministers was appointed to study the feasibility of extending loans directly to the weaver rather than to cooperatives. The Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, has been nominated to head the group to study its feasibility.
The Group of Ministers appointed to monitor prices of essential commodities is working out ways to bring down prices and also monitoring them regularly. They have been empowered to take appropriate measures, she said.
INDIAN SILK MILLS
The Indian Silk Mills based in Bangalore has been allotted three acres of land for setting up a spinning unit in Parigi, another 3 acres at Rachepalli for establishing a unit.
The Indian Silk Mills was chosen by the Central Silk Board, Bangalore and the Department of Sericulture for setting up this unit where about 10,000 Eri farmers would benefit. While these farmers will be able to secure additional income of Rs 5,000, besides helping in sale of castor seed and Tapioca tubors. The unit will be set up on a lease for 10 years.
