The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh 20.08.2009
‘Walls built around 1,136 open places in city’
| GHMC identifies 2,202 places for development of parks, playgrounds |
HYDERABAD: The government has spent Rs. 98 crore on construction of compound walls around open spaces identified for construction of parks and playgrounds in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to prevent encroachments.
Municipal Administration Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy informed the Assembly on Tuesday that the government had taken steps to construct compound walls around 1,136 open places in the city and its peripheral areas. The GHMC had identified 2,202 places for development of parks and construction of play grounds. Mr. Reddy pointed out that GIS survey was undertaken to map the open spaces.
Allaying fears expressed by the MIM member Akbaruddin Owaisi that encroachers were occupying open spaces, Mr. Reddy said all steps were being taken to protect the spaces and an action plan had been prepared to develop parks and play grounds.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Mr. Akbaruddin alleged that land meant for parks and play grounds were occupied in the city. Mr. Akbaruddin levelled serious charged of corruption in purchase of sports equipment for GHMC summer camps. He said the old city was neglected in terms of development of parks and play grounds. The Minister promised to look into the charges and take remedial measures.
