GHMC’s Proposed Link Road Project in Hyderabad under Scrutiny
The officials of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) are seriously considering constructing a 2.3-km link road from Navayuga SEZ to Chandanagar railway station, in Serilingampally. The estimated project cost is said to be Rs.17.10 crore. Inspite of there being other roads in the city that require immediate repair, the authorities of GHMC have already gone ahead and submitted a proposal before the standing committee seeking approval for taking up work on the link road on a priority basis.
Construction of link roads is normally undertaken for decongestion of thoroughfares and to reduce the distances between two important destinations. However, before going ahead with construction of such roads, a feasibility study needs to be undertaken so as to determine the traffic volume on the existing road as well as the link road. But, none of this was considered by the civic authorities, in this case. Moreover, it is generally felt that there is no immediate requirement of a link road here for commuters as it is a dead-end at the Chandanagar railway station.
More Pressing Issues:
There is a more pressing need to build a rail over bridge (ROB) from the dead-end road at Chandanagar railway station to the Mumbai highway, consisting of many residential colonies, on the other side of the railway station. This project would require considerable allocation of funds besides the approval from the South Central Railway. Moreover, the traffic volume on the University of Hyderabad road, which comes within the purview of the proposed link road, is not a cause of concern that would validate decongestion. Besides, authorities are still speculative about the volume of traffic that would use the proposed road to reach Chandanagar railway station. Another strange move proposed by GHMC officials is to acquire private property owners’ land so as to widen the road to 150 ft, with four lanes. This is when many arterial roads in Kukatpally, Punjagutta and the SP road are just about 150 ft.
Project to Appease Realtors:
It is being alleged that the proposed road is being constructed so that many realtors and property owners will indirectly benefit due to increase in land values once the road becomes operational. Besides, it will also enable them to invest in commercially lucrative ventures like restaurants, malls and multiplexes. A blame game has ensued as a result, with both the Projects Engineering Wing and the Town Planning Wing of the GHMC pointing fingers at each other with regards to the construction of the proposed link road. As a result, the GHMC has faced considerable flak with Vigilance and Enforcement (V & E) inquiry being initiated against the authorities.
Other instances of Misappropriation by GHMC:
Besides, this instance of misappropriation on the part of the GHMC, the V & E department will also probe into other irregularities that the body has engaged in. One such instance is with regards to a road constructed from the north of the National Academy of Construction (NAC) campus to the rail under bridge which connects Kukatpally. Even though the work on this road was stopped mid-way, by then, Rs.70 lakh was already spent on it. Another such instance is with regards to the widening of a road connecting Krishnanagar junction with Annapurna studios, at an estimated cost of Rs.7.2 crore. This project was however cleared by the standing committee along with the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department few months back. Hence, it is perceived that even in the case of the proposed link road a thorough inquiry will be conducted and an appropriate decision will be taken accordingly.
