HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has extended the deadline to receive feedback from the public on the 'Draft Metropolitan Development Plan for Hyderabad Metropolitan Region' up to November 22.The development plan is planned for a time period up to 2031.It envisages a balanced and radial-concentric structure of development for the region.Accordingly, new urban nodes and centres will come up around the region along with a peri-urban zone all around the urban area.In connection with this, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI), in association with the Institute of Town Planners of India's AP Regional Chapter (ITPI, APRC) organised a day-long workshop on the draft development plan for the Hyderabad metropolitan region at Hotel Taj Deccan here on Saturday.The workshop was organised to ensure that inputs from people from all walks of life are considered for the development plan and to reflect that the development plan is not just about making use of a certain land available but one which integrates transport, economy, environment and other factors which affect the growth of a region.Highlighting the features of the plan, HMDA commissioner Rajeshwar Tiwari said HMDA, spread over 7,228 sq km, was the second largest metro region in the country after Bangalore.The projected population of Hyderabad by 2031 is 1.84 crore and the draft has been sketched keeping this population in mind.Tiwari spoke about various parameters considered for the plan which include environmentally- sustainable development and provision of social amenities, ruralurban continuum and periurban development.C Sekhar Reddy, vicepresident of CREDAI, said a more accurate development plan could be prepared if the economic progress of the city was considered."The government should also consider the investment the city will attract by 2031.The population might increase manifold if Hyderabad attracts huge investments from outside," he said.Presenting his view on what has to go into the development plan for the city, APIIC managing director BR Meena said industries formed integral part of the development of a region.``The plan has to segregate residential and industrial areas and ensure that government dry lands are used for establishment of industries instead of acquiring arable lands from farmers.The general perception is that industry means pollution.But there are certain sectors such as IT which do not cause environmental harm.The development plan should consider these factors before earmarking places for industry and residence.The APIIC is working with the Pollution Control Board to control carbon footprint,'' he said.NVS Reddy, managing director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL), stressed the importance of an efficient transport system in the development of a city.“Any place with good transport system will attract investors from outside which will, in turn, contribute to the growth of the city.The mul t i - cul ture of Hyderabad is an advantage to be made us of.'' Reddy explained the features of the proposed metro rail project which will attract an investment of Rs 50,000 crore in the next decade and provide employment to 2 lakh people.“Since the metro rail needs a minimum number of passengers to function efficiently, it cannot be extended to the city's outskirts.To strengthen the transport in these areas, a bus transit system will be developed around the Outer Ring Road.A 30-metre-wide stretch along the Outer Ring Road has been left vacant for laying metro rail in future, if need be,'' he said.“The city master plans prepared in the past had several drawbacks.For example, only Koti and Abids were marked for commercial development.With the city growing, more space was needed for commerce.If the master plan is not in tune with the growth of the city, one has to keep tinkering with the plan to accommodate changes rendering the master plan nothing more than a piece of paper,'' said Dhananjay Reddy, GHMC additional commissioner.To avoid such situations with respect to the new plan, he called upon everyone to voice their opinion on the plan so that a comprehensive master plan can be evolved.The draft plan is available on www.hmda.gov.in.
Comments
0 comment