The reason is that all the allocated funds for previous projects under JNNURM by the Union Government have been exhausted and seeking fresh funds looks remote and impossible.

The Central Government allocated an amount Rs 2,148.26 crore to the GHMC for various projects, some of which have been completed.

The GHMC has proposed to take up projects worth Rs 8,000 crore under Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UI&G) and Basic Service for Urban Poor (BSUP). Under UI&G, projects worth Rs 7,337,55 crore and under BSUP works worth Rs 623.83 crore have been proposed.

The projects proposed under UI&G include (1) Widening of 44 roads - Rs 555 crore, (2) Integrated Solid Waste Management Project (ISWMP) - Rs 483.21 crore, (3) Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) - Rs 59.34 crore and (4) Integrated Storm Water Drainage Project for GHMC - Rs 6,245 crore.

The projects intended to be taken up under BSUP are (1) Construction of 4,743 houses - Rs 166.31 crore, (2) Infrastructure like roads, water and sewerage to 24 housing colonies in GHMC (3) Construction of 4,848 houses in 10 housing colonies - Rs 170 crore.

Speaking to Express, senior GHMC officials admitted that all the sanctioned JNNURM funds for GHMC had been spent and expressed doubts and apprehensions of receiving additional funds from the Central Government as the JNUURM will end in another two years.

The GHMC is still confident of receiving funds from Central Government since several cities in the country selected by GoI under JNNURM could not utilise the funds. The unfortunate part is that many of the cities in the country could not even submit project reports to claim the funds. The unused JNNURM funds can be allocated to GHMC for taking up future projects, they said.

Of the Rs 2,148 crore sanctioned under JNNURM, GHMC spent the funds for taking as many as 27 projects that include 10 UI&G projects (Rs 407.09 crore) and 17 BSUP projects (Rs 1741.17 crore).

Under U&IG, the GHMC completed three flyovers under urban transport at Punjagutta, Greenlands and Chandrayangutta. Two projects under heritage precincts that include Musi Revitalisation Project and Charminar Pedestrianisation Project and five Storm Water Drain projects.

Under BSUP, funds were spent on construction of houses and providing infrastructure in housing colonies like laying roads, fixing streetlights, providing drinking water and building sewerage.