Temporary tax leeway for new municipalities

A tank bund being developed at the Ramananthapur lake as part of a project taken up by the HMDA in Hyderabad.

A tank bund being developed at the Ramananthapur lake as part of a project taken up by the HMDA in Hyderabad.   | Photo Credit: G_RAMAKRISHNA

₹441 crore allocated for beautification and development of lakes and water bodies across the State

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development K.T. Rama Rao has on Friday, announced there will not be any upward revision of taxes in new municipalities formed out through merger of adjoining gram panchayats for the next three years.

Residents of the newly formed 68 municipalities will continue to pay the same taxes as they did in the gram panchayats so far, the Minister announced during his tour of the city. He formally launched the lake development programme at Neknampur.

Mr. Rama Rao said ₹441 crore has been allocated for beautification and development of several lakes and water bodies across the State, and 40 lakes have been shortlisted for the same in the GHMC and HMDA limits. The GHMC will prepare action plan for beautification of all these lakes. This will be in addition to the beautification and development of Gandipet by the HMDA which has been entrusted with the job of developing the location as tourist spot.

He said ₹21.26 crore has been allotted for beautification and development of Neknampur lake. He urged the residents to actively participate in the lake protection, maintenance and other work.

Of the 1150 million litres (MLD) of sewage generated in the city per day, only 670 MLD is being treated, and efforts are on to set up more sewage treatment plants so that the water will be treated before being let into the lakes. Mr. Rama Rao warned against taking up any construction activity within the lake bed.

He asked Municipal Commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy to ensure that apartment complexes with more than 100 flats set up STPs, with the cost being borne by the builder.

The 108-acre Neknampur Pedda Cheruvu-Chinna Cheruvu which received the funding was dug during the Quli Qutub Shah’s period, and receives storm water from Durgam Cheruvu, Malka Cheruvu, Khajaguda Pedda Cheruvu, and Yellamma Cheruvu.

Restoration essentially includes desilting, diversion of sewage, formation of ring bund for walking and cycling, sedimentation pond at the inlet, formation of islands, and strengthening of the main bund. Besides, laying walking/cycling tracks, water supply, plantation, lighting, open gym and landscaping will be taken up, along with access control and gazebos.

Mr. Rama Rao has assured sanction of ₹10 crore for Sunnam Cheruvu development upon request of Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiuddin. During his tour, he also inaugurated a reservoir in Borabanda built at an expenditure of ₹5.5 crore. He was accompanied by Mayor B. Ram Mohan, MPs Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, and Ch. Malla Reddy, MLA Prakash Goud, Commissioner HMDA T. Chiranjeevulu, senior officials and heads of departments.