GHMC unhappy over tardy pace of CPP works

Civic body officials visit Charminar, take stock of the project

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials on Saturday visited Charminar to review the work of the decade old Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP).

The officials, including Mayor Majid Hussain and Commissioner Somesh Kumar, expressed unhappiness over the tardy pace of work and decided to hold a review meeting on Monday involving Charminar MLA, Zonal Commissioner, area corporators and other officials.

Decisions to the effect of demolitions, removal of encroachments and an action plan would be taken, said a press release. There are several business establishments and religious structures that the GHMC has to acquire. The Mayor said many had taken cheques but constructed buildings again, which was objectionable. He directed the officials to take up demolitions following legal procedures.

The project, which has been pending since 1986, hit the road block for a variety of issues. Ahmed Pasha Quadri, MLA, said there were 20 properties that need to be acquired and there was a need to hold talks with the owners by engaging a private lawyer to sort out the issues.

The Commissioner said he had been to Turkey and other countries where pedestrianisation has been taken up at historical places and observed that the business has been increased tremendously at the tourists spots. He assured all the shopkeepers and residents not to fear about their businesses and their cooperation was very badly needed for completion of the project at the earliest. Once the project is completed the flow of tourists will increase and automatically their business will improve, he opined.

R Dhan Singh, Engineer-in-Chief, Balasubrahmanyam Reddy, Zonal Commissioner (South), Devender Reddy, Chief City Planner, Deputy Commissioners, (Circle 4 & 5) and senior officials from Town Planning, Engineering and Health wings took part in the inspection.