Deccan Chronicle 30.12.2009

HMDA on the lookout for funds

Hyderabad, Dec. 29: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), which once raised thousands of crores of rupees by auctioning its land to finance mega irrigation projects of the state government, is now struggling to raise Rs 100 crore required to complete three major infrastructure projects in the city which were stopped mid-way for want of funds.

Works on construction of flyovers at Hitec City and Langar Houz followed by four ramps on the PVNR Expressway have come to standstill due to paucity of funds. Although the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, laid foundation stone for another flyover linking Patigadda with the Necklace Road, HMDA has not moved a brick thereafter as its coffers are empty.

There are at least a dozen more major public infrastructure projects which have been put in cold storage. Projects such as business centre-cum-bus terminal at the Secunderabad Railway Station, a truck terminal on the city outskirts, six satellite townships and radial roads have been confined to paper only.

Senior IAS officer, Mr B.P. Acharya, who took over as the new commissioner of HMDA, has taken up the task of revenue generation as the first priority. In his first meeting with the senior officials of the HMDA, he sought suggestions on generating revenues to complete pending projects and pull the HMDA out of its current financial mess.