Issues plaguing the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) may figure prominently in the meeting between Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar in Delhi.
TRS representatives in the SCB have asked the CM to take up the issue of modification of building by-laws in the cantonment area, besides the issue of pending water infrastructure works with central assistance. Ward five member J. Ramakrishna said they had made a representation to the CM about a pending proposal to modify by-laws in the cantonment area, in tune with laws in neighbouring GHMC areas.
“GHMC rules are more flexible with regard to setbacks and the Floor Space Index (FSI). The FSI should be increased, given the growing population of the area,” he said.
However, any changes to building by-laws have to be discussed in board meetings and routed to the Ministry of Defence through the Chief Executive’s office. As such, a resolution has not been in the two board meetings held this year, and it remains to be seen how the matter can proceed.
Ward members also placed a demand for a one-time Building Penalization and Regularisation scheme before the CM, to regularise deviations in building constructions that would benefit several colonies and apartments, he said, adding “it would help raise revenue for the SCB”.
SCB vice-president S. Keshav Reddy said the demand for funds from the Central Government was to improve the water network. “The CM said he would place a demand for Rs.50 crore for improvement of the water infrastructure, with the assurance that the State government would also contribute an equal amount,” he said.
TRS sources indicated that the CM could speak about the applications received for regularisation of encroachments in the cantonment, besides addressing concerns of the defence establishment over compensation of defence lands lost of encroachment.
