GHMC to go ahead with 2.3K cr nala-widening

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had earlier planned to clear 47 bottlenecks at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore. But, it has not yet commenced the works. However, now, it has decided to embark on nala widening for a length of 100 kilometres with an estimated cost of Rs 2,300 crore.

The civic body officials claimed that 4,832 structures would be affected during the nala widening. According to the GHMC official, the civic body had decided to clear 47 critical bottlenecks in a length of 365 kilometres.

The GHMC has conducted a comprehensive survey and identified as many as 1,000 unauthorised and authorised structures to be demolished. The civic body has estimated Rs 230 crore towards both demolition and paying of compensation. However, the GHMC has not initiated the nala widening succumbing to the political pressures and due to delay in release of funds from the State government.

A senior GHMC official told The Hans India that the State government has asked the civic body to prepare a vision 2024 document where it suggested to notify the works taken up from 2014 to 2017 and prepare a comprehensive data which indicates works to be taken up until 2024. He said that the corporation has decided to widen 100 kilometre length nala with Rs 2,300 crore where 4,832 structures will be affected.

When asked about the possibilities of nala widening, the official said that it would be possible only if public representatives, cutting across the party lines, strive for the nala widening. He said even though the GHMC has completed the nala survey a year and half ago, the government is yet to give nod for nala widening. He if the government continues with the same attitude the nala widening would be a distant dream even if the corporation prepares a vision 2024 document.