Hyderabad Expansion: Conflict of interest between AP Govt and GHMC

The GHMC was issued orders by the Andhra Pradesh government for the expansion of Hyderabad city by the merging of 35 gram panchayats, supposedly prime real estate areas. As a result of this merger Greater Hyderabad will now be expanded to 930 sq.km compared to the earlier area of 625 sq.km. Thereby, there would be an increase in population by five lakh people.

Safeguard of Realtors and Builders’ interests suspected:

Speculation is rife that the expansion plans of the government has been mainly chalked out so as to safeguard the interests of builders, developers and realtors. Besides, protection of the interests of political leaders belonging to Seemandhra, owning large expanses of land in areas under the jurisdiction of HDMA can also be cited as a reason for this move. Given the current circumstances that are prevalent, an expanded Hyderabad city can push its case for being granted the status of Union Territory (UT).

GHMC opposes govt move:

Retorting to the AP government move, the GHMC directed its commissioner not to undertake any developmental activities in the newly merged gram panchayats until it receives a clarification from the state government regarding issues relating to various departments. At a meeting of the GHMC council, the proposal of the state government regarding the merger of the gram panchayats was unanimously rejected, and its commissioner was requested to send back the resolution in this regard to the state government. Moreover, it was alleged by Telangana activists that since about eight lakh acres of land is owned by people belonging to Seemandhra, from the 7,100 sq.km of HDMA area spread, this move by the government is basically targeted at benefiting people in the Seemandhra region.

MA & UD department’s clarity required:

It was also alleged that the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department had gone ahead with issuing government orders (GO) for facilitating the inclusion of more panchayats into the corporation without being able to clearly define the role of the city corporation, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Corporation (HMDC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (HMWS&SB), Roads and Buildings, and National Highways department, in the development of these panchayats. It is also important that the MA&UD department discloses its source of funds that will be employed for improving the infrastructure in these panchayats.

Safeguard of Farmers’ interests and maintenance warranted:

It was also felt that if the GHMC limits are increased to 930 sq.km, it will be a huge financial burden on small and marginal farmers to pay the tax imposed by the corporation on their land. Moreover, maintenance of roads and other public utilities may not be looked after appropriately, due to the larger area that will come under the corporation’s purview. As the increase in the corporation’s area will push the cause of making the city a UT, it will warrant that departments like law and order, land and revenue, taxation and civic administration of the GHMC will be taken over by the central government. In such a scenario, it is feared that the land and properties of Seemandhra contractors and investors, many of them with political affiliations, will be protected, and revenues amassed in the process, will be shared.

In such a precarious situation, to resolve the stalemate, it is essential that fruitful discussions are held with all parties involved, so that an amicable resolution can be reached that is beneficial to the interests of the city. This will indirectly have a positive effect on the realty sector as well.