Probe ORR tenders, Dubai-model tourism with no traffic around Hussain Sagar: CM

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive probe into the irregularities in the Outer Ring Road (ORR) toll tenders. The Chief Minister expressed anger over the finalisation of the tenders at a low price which resulted in a huge revenue loss to the state government.

The CM questioned the HMDA officials how the tenders were called for without fixing the minimum rate. The Chief Minister ordered a thorough investigation into the whole episode, including the involvement of people and the organisations responsible in the tender process.

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HMDA Joint Commissioner Amrapali was asked to submit complete details about the irregularities in the tenders, the procedures followed and the movement of files during the tendering process. The officials were also instructed to register cases against the officials and employees concerned, if any files related to ORR tenders were found missing.

After receiving a full report from HMDA, the government would discuss it in the Cabinet and hand over the issue for a probe to the CBI or an equivalent probing agency.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with HMDA officials. The officials explained to the CM that the total revenue generated from the ORR was Rs 600 crore per year, before calling for the toll tenders. The CM enquired why the tender was finalised at a meagre Rs 7,800 crore to the IRB company as against the estimation of Rs 18,000 crore revenue generation in 30 years period.

It was primarily estimated the government incurred a loss of Rs 15,000 crore due to the tender process adopted by the HMDA. The meeting also discussed how the HMDA prepared the DPR (Detailed Project Report) with two companies and finalised the one which caused huge revenue loss to the government.

The Chief minister was of the strong opinion that the truth would prevail only if a thorough probe was conducted into this matter. The CM also ordered the officials to investigate the transactions of the company, which won the tender, by showing the contract agreement made with the government and handing over 49 percent of its shares to the foreign companies.

Development of ORR-RRR region

Revanth Reddy directed the officials to consider the area inside the outer ring road (ORR) as a unit and prepare plans for the development of Hyderabad. The CM suggested that the HMDA limits should be extended up to the Regional Ring Road (RRR). Radial roads should be constructed to connect the ORR to the RRR. The CM emphasised that top priority should be given to the creation of necessary infrastructure in the newly expanding surrounding municipalities of Hyderabad along with the development of the city. The officials were asked to prepare a vision document for the development of the city by hiring a special consultancy in tune with the Master Plan-2050.

Revanth Reddy asked the officials to pay special attention on the preservation of the ponds and waterbodies in the HMDA limits and also speed up land pooling. The officials were asked to take the help of District Collectors in land pooling and development of the places and work in tandem with the all authorities.

As much as 8,374 acres of land parcels had been identified in the HMDA. Out of these, 2,031 parcels were in court cases at various levels. The CM suggested that the HMDA lands should be protected from alienation and mapping of the land should be done by using digital and GPS methods.

Measures should be taken to increase the income of HMDA by using its lands under their jurisdiction. Focus should also be laid on the generation of income through advertisements. The appointment of special officers for land pooling and protecting the land parcels, ponds and water bodies was also discussed in the meeting. The CM suggested that one IPS officer of the rank of a DIG and two SP rank officers should be appointed and give responsibility to them to protect HMDA lands.

The Chief Minister also wanted the officials to conduct a survey whether the places given for community needs in the layouts of Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and other towns are under their control or had been encroached upon.

It was decided to set up Telangana Model schools in these places. The CM also suggested that model schools should be handed over to the corporate companies who came forward and noted schools. The CM was of the opinion that at least 25 percent quota of students from poor and middle class families in the area should be enrolled for free admissions so that the model schools would be opened in all areas.

Hussain Sagar world-class tourist centre

The CM floated the idea of making the surrounding areas near the famous Hussain Sagar a pleasant and beautiful tourist zone. The CM suggested that the entire area from Ambedkar statue, NTR Park, Telangana Amaraveerula Jyoti, Necklace Road to Indira Park and Sanjeevaiah Park should be made into a world-class tourist attraction centre.

The CM asked the officials to remove the encroachments around Hussain Sagar to promote the entire area as a tourist place and city people to enjoy their leisure time here. On the lines of Dubai, the development of sky walk way, food stalls, children's amusement zone, greenery landscape etc will also be developed.

If necessary, vehicular traffic on the entire stretch sould be diverted and promote the entire zone as a world class tourist place. The CM instructed the officials to prepare models for a big tourism project in Hyderabad in consultation with international agencies .

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Principal Secretary to CM Seshadri, Special Secretary to CM Ajith Reddy, Principal Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary R&B Srinivasa Raju along with Joint Commissioner HMDA Amrapali participated in the review