HYDERABAD: The integrated township concept proposed by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and up-scaled to cover all municipalities in the State has evoked positive response from developers and builders.

These townships would have infrastructure facilities and employment opportunities at one place comprising offices and campuses alongside residential complexes.

With the Government deciding to have at least one such township in every municipality, Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Veena Ish and HUDA authorities held a preliminary meeting with real estate developers to seek their suggestions and views.

End to traffic snarl

Though the city had been expanding in all directions, with most commuting to places of work located in the core of the city, traffic congestion had only been increasing. Integrated townships would address the problem, they said.

Some 10 builders, including Rahejas, DLN, IGM (developing Kukatpally project with APHB), Narne, Pragathi, Ambience and Maytas groups, were confident that the concept would generate good demand in Hyderabad.

"It is in line with `Walk to Work' concept followed in major cities in the world to enable people live in the vicinity of the work place. The concept became popular as these townships would have all facilities to meet community needs - education, shopping, medicare and recreation," they said, adding that the "city is ready for such townships."

HUDA planned 22 townships along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to decongest the city and five of them would be taken up initially in public-private partnership mode.

Pricing options

"Marketing space in these townships will not be a problem as people are looking for hassle-free living," developers averred.

"The Government could freeze the cost of LIG and Economically Weaker Section houses while MIG houses could be sold with a nominal profit," they suggested. They, however, preferred that commercial complexes would be premium driven and bungalows and HIG houses be priced as per prevailing market conditions.

The IT, manufacturing and service sector could develop their own campuses in the designated area.

The next round of talks would be held in a week when builders would submit their suggestions in writing and a draft paper would be prepared for discussion with all departments concerned like APHB, Pollution Control Board, Utilities Departments, besides IT and corporate firms, before the final draft would be submitted to the Government.

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