Hyderabad: BJP promises makeover of Old City

Hyderabad: The BJP, which created a stir by stating that if voted to power it would go in for surgical strike on Old City has showered special sops on 'purana shahar' in its manifesto.

The 22-page manifesto, released by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, promised to transform Old City into a modern town improving basic civic infrastructure by allocating Rs 4 crore per municipal division. It also promised to empower the Old City urban development authority for faster development of the old city.

The BJP said it will ensure that there was no illegal power theft in the Old City and that there was equitable development in every municipal division of the Old City.

Targeting the poorer sections, it said that it would provide health insurance for street vendors, Rs 7,000 annual assistance to the owner-cum- auto drivers. Further, it has assured to provide Rs 15,000 interest-free loan every year to about 20,000 salons.

The small business owners, the manifesto said, will be provided with 50 per cent concession in the business licences and 50 per cent relief in the property tax. Similarly, Rs 5-lakh health insurance will be provided to rickshaw-pullers and building construction workers and those working in market yards.

Among other important promises made in the manifesto were to celebrate September 17 as the Telangana Celebration Day officially within the GHMC limits, provide free travel for women in metro and city buses, to increase the number of women police stations, and a toilet for women at every kilometre.

The saffron party also assured that it would scrap the Land Regularisation Scheme (LRS) which would benefit about three lakh people under the GHMC limits.

To mitigate the problems of those who were affected by recent floods, the manifesto said Rs 25,000 will be deposited in the accounts of victims. Those who have already received Rs 10,000 will be paid Rs 15,000.

The manifesto further promised to provide free domestic power up to 100 units, one lakh houses to the poor under PM Awas Yojana, and allocate the already constructed houses to the beneficiaries.

In addition, it said it will provide free water tap connections and a 24-hour water supply. The saffron party said that the property tax will be completely waived off for the SC colonies and slums, and free power supply to barbers' shops, dhobi ghats, and repairing shops. It also assures to administer corona vaccine and tests for all through its PHC network and mobile health check under Ayushman Bharat.

The BJP said it will connect the Old City to the airport by Metro rail services. As far as civic amenities are concerned, it said it will repair damaged roads within 15 days. On the infrastructure front, the BJP said it would modernise the drainage system, multi-level parking facilities and set up the biggest Telugu library.