No rent, no revenue: GHMC model markets in Hyderabad

Official apathy leaves model markets in city to lie vacant

Hyderabad: Despite tall claims, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is yet to hand over the newly-constructed model markets to private contractors even after completing their construction about nine months ago.

The civic body has framed tender guidelines for allotment of shops but due to apathy of Estates Wing officials they are still vacant leading to revenue losses for the corporation. According to highly-placed sources in the GHMC, the civic body has during its 100-day action plan decided to construct as many as 50 model markets against the target of 200. The corporation so far has managed to complete the construction of 14 model markets.

Tender process is yet to be completed for the remaining. Sources said that due to the negligence of the Estates wing officials the civic body has not handed over the markets to private parties even after nine months after their completion. Even though guidelines for the markets have been framed they were still awaiting to be published.

Though GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy has instructed the Estates wing to gather the information pertaining to allotments from deputy commissioners, so far no action has been taken.

When queried about the same subject Additional Commissioner (Estates) G Ramesh told The Hans India that he was too busy to share the information.

Meanwhile, each model market has been constructed at a cost of of Rs 20.33 crore. The ground floor has 7 shops each of 70 to 140 sq.ft and the first floor consists of 8 shops with parking, toilets and other basic facilities.

Shops will be allotted to various commodities traders and services providers but not for hotels, restaurants or wine shops The authorities informed that a notice for the allotment of shops and other procedures would be published soon.