KUDA master plan gathers dust

Non-approval of master plan has also come in the way of clearing nearly 33,000 land regularisation scheme (LRS) applications that are likely to rake up an income of nearly Rs 150 crore for the government

Warangal: The district administration perhaps got the wind of growing discontent among the denizens. At last, the government seems to be in a hurry to enforce the modified version of the Master Plan in the limits of Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA). It may be noted here that it’s been four-and-a-half-decade since the last master plan came into force in the city.

Going by the growth the city has witnessed all these years, there is an imperative need for the implementation of the master plan. However, the Master Plan – 2031 prepared in 2013 has not seen the light of the day. Adding more to the woes, the government didn’t appoint KUDA functionaries until recently.

After the new Board headed by Marri Yadava Reddy assumed the office on November 9, the focus invariably shifted on to the city development. Since then the Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari held meetings with the functionaries of KUDA, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) and the district administration twice on November 15 and again on Saturday.

All those attended the meeting reportedly expressed concern over the growing discontent among the people due to inordinate delay in the implementation of the new master plan.

Moreover, the non-approval of master plan has also come in the way of clearing nearly 33,000 land regularisation scheme (LRS) applications that are likely to rake up an income of nearly Rs 150 crore for the government.

Speaking to The Hans India, Marri Yadava Reddy said, “But for a few minor hiccups, all the issues related to the outer ring road (ORR) have been sorted out. The meeting headed by Deputy CM has decided to forward the Master Plan – 2031 (prepared in 2013) for the approval of the State government with some modifications. The Board is likely to meet the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K T Rama Rao in the first week of February for his consent to the master plan.”

Meanwhile, the Saturday’s Board meeting has decided to develop 21 junctions by GWMC, seven by KUDA and 14 by national highways authority. Four growth corridors will be developed along the ORR.

It was also decided that the proposed ORR will be connected to the existing NH-163 (29-km stretch between Arepalli and Delhi public School near Karunapuram), and Jagtial-Warangal-Khammam (extension of National Highway 563 up to NH-365 A). This will allow the KUDA escape the expenditure of at least 40 kilometres ORR construction. To get this done, the KUDA needs to get approval from the NH Authority.

Forum for Better Warangal president Pulluru Sudhakar said: “It’s not fair on part of the KUDA Board to move forward with the master plan without listening to the voice of all the stakeholders.” The KUDA needs to be transparent. It has to tell the people what changes it has brought in the plan and for why, he said.

Adepu Mahender