GHMC plans to cancel contract

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is contemplating cancelling the contract of controversial Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP) near the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park (KBR).

The decision to cancel the contract has been taken to obviate the risk of the contractor claiming compensation for the failure on the part of the government to get clearance for the project in time. The contract may claim Rs 1,000 crore compensation if the GHMC delays in entrusting the work in time.

According to GHMC official, even though the Telangana State Wild Life Council had given clearance for the project, it would take at least six months to get the clearance from Union Environment and Forests Ministry (MoEF). It will take at least three months for the administration to hold public hearings and finalise the draft notification.

If everything goes according to plan, it will take at least one more for the GHMC to start the work on the project.

A senior GHMC official told The Hans India that the civic authorities had already communicated to the State government on the subject and requested the latter to cancel the contract.

He also made clear that the civic body would not cancel the work order, but only the contract.

He said that the GHMC would revive the contract once the corporation received clearance for the project at KBR stretch.

The GHMC official further said in order to cut down the process, the civic body is also planning to approach Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Telangana State, where he has the authority to give clearance for the SRDP at KBR stretch and start work immediately even though MoEF clearance is in process.

He added that civic body would get a clear idea within a week to start the project or cancel the contract.