HMR apprises Uganda on its land pooling scheme

A team led by Uganda’s Minister for Housing, Lands and Urban Development Engola Sam interacted with HMR MD NVS Reddy at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) on Wednesday. The team arrived in the city to get an understanding on the land acquisition process for mega projects.

Dwelling on the legal complexities and challenges in acquiring land and properties for urban infrastructure projects in India, NVS Reddy emphasised on the need for patience, tact, persuasion, careful documentation, etc., as the key requirements for project leaders implementing mega projects.

He explained them as to how several sensitive and long pending cases were resolved and properties were acquired for the Metro Rail project. Elaborating the successful land pooling method used for acquisition of 824 acres of land from about 850 small farmers and using the land for development of plots, creation of Metro Rail depot and casting yards, building of STP etc., at Uppal, he enlightened the delegation as to how all stakeholders got benefitted in this process.

NVS Reddy informed the delegation that Hyderabad Metro Rail project is being executed not as a simple mass transportation system, but as an urban redesign project. He highlighted key features of the project like integration with other modes of transport, running of feeder bus services, creation of pedestrian facilities like sidewalks and street furniture and introduction of bicycle stations to reduce fossil fuel in order to transform Hyderabad into an eco-friendly global city.

He added that special security measures are being implemented for the safety of women and children and conveniences for the senior citizens and the differently-abled. The delegation later visited Nagole Metro station, Uppal precast yard and other Metro work sites.