Balanagar flyover faces land hurdles

Balanagar flyover faces land hurdles
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Even as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid foundation stone for two new flyovers to be built in the State capital, another such project taken up by the State government is facing hurdles affecting construction plans.

​Hyderabad: Even as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid foundation stone for two new flyovers to be built in the State capital, another such project taken up by the State government is facing hurdles affecting construction plans.

Foundation for the flyover from Balanagar X Road to Narsapur X Road (roughly of 1 km) was laid by Minister K T Rama Rao in August last year. Nine months have passed since then, but the project is yet to gain momentum owing to land acquisition hurdles.

While HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority) is tasked with the responsibility of constructing the flyover, the land acquisition job is being handled by the GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation).

At present, the road width ranges from 80 feet to 100 feet. The idea is to extend it to between 150 to 200 feet and this is where the civic body is facing resistance from local traders.

A total of 357 properties are said to be affected with this project and as things stand, not even 10 percent of them are acquired till date. The project cost is nearly Rs 400 crore out of which Rs 265 crore is set aside for land acquisition only.

According to local MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao, who is pursuing this project keenly, the issue is with 170 property owners, who are demanding compensation on par with private property owners despite not having clear titles.

Sources said that the government rate was Rs 30,000 per square yard and compensation amount was fixed at Rs 60,000. Those having clear title deeds were offered that amount. However, some property owners, who allegedly set up shops encroaching government land, were also demanding the same amount rejecting administration’s offer to give Rs 30,000 per sq yard.

Krishna Rao said some of the local traders approached the court and hence the delay. Meanwhile, senior officials in HMDA said that they were clueless as to what to do because land acquisition itself was not over. The metropolitan body was ready with the project design and earmarked budget also, but nothing could be done until required land was acquired, the official said. “If land is given, we will complete the flyover construction in nine-months’ time,” he added.

By: Mahesh Avadhutha

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