The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : SCB clears Hyderabad Metro Rail proposal

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Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

SCB clears Hyderabad Metro Rail proposal

HMR to develop vacant lands of up to 32.72 acres at Hasmathpet on equal sharing basis

HMR had written to SCB seeking Hasmathpet land
HMR also sought another 16 acres at Turkapally

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) Limited received a shot in the arm when the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) cleared its proposal to develop vacant lands of up to 32.72 acres at Hasmathpet on equal sharing basis.

Last month HMR had written to SCB seeking the Hasmathpet land and another 16 acres at Turkapally to take up property development. It promised half the built up space or apartment units to SCB while the rest could be utilised by HMR to accommodate property owners affected by the elevated rail project.

HMR also sought another three acres from the defence authorities -- both from the SCB and the Defence Estates Office -- to build an overhead station with parking and circulating space.

Encroachments

Presenting the case for developing the land, HMR officials have stated further encroachments could be prevented on the identified lands as most vacant defence lands have been prone to such activities. However, in its last meeting held earlier this month, SCB agreed for development of Hasmathpet site only.

It also sought revision in plan for utilising the Picket garden for the metro station. HMR agreed to the changes and submitted a revised plan moving the station away from the park which also meant only 1.14 acres of defence land had to be parted with.

Right of way

SCB also cleared proposals for allowing right of way for the project on its roads as two corridors -- Jubilee Bus Station to Falaknuma and Nagole to Shilparamam -- pass through its area.

Officials on both sides stated that modalities for the property development plan was yet to be worked out but more floor space index could be obtained since it was outside the Defence Ministry’s jurisdiction.

Hasmathpet land was purchased by the Secunderabad Cantonment Board way back in 1930 outside its area for garbage dumping and it had to be stopped few years ago after the Pollution Control Board raised objections on the site amidst residential area. Land sharks have been making efforts to grab the vacant land ever since.

SCB employees, in the meantime, had formed a cooperative housing society, thwarted attempts to encroach it and also have been pleading for allotment of sites on a nominal rate ever since. Their plea was rejected on the grounds that it was defence land but SCB officials later explained it was not so.

Group housing

SCB has now proposed to the Defence Ministry to allow HMR to develop group housing schemes allotting 50 per cent of built up area to SCB towards land cost share. If cleared, apartments on subsidised rates can be allotted to Cantonment employees and also ex-servicemen. Balance built up area can be disposed off in open auction, it observed.

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