• Source:JND
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Telangana Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka allocated Rs 10,000 from the state budget for Hyderabad's development in the state budget for 2024-25. While presenting the state budget in the Telangana Assembly on Thursday, the state finance minister emphasised that Hyderabad is pivotal to Telangana's growth, with integrated development facilitating significant resource mobilisation for the state.

FM Vikramarka pointed to the potential of Hyderabad's outskirts to evolve into self-sustaining areas. This development strategy aims to alleviate pressure on civic bodies by promoting satellite townships with affordable housing and comprehensive amenities, including parks, community halls, commercial centres, and schools.

A significant portion of the budget, Rs 1,525 crore, is earmarked for the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project, designed to connect Hyderabad to other state regions. The RRR includes a northern segment from Sangareddy-Toopran-Gajwel-Choutuppal spanning 158.6 km, and a southern segment from Choutuppal-Shadhnagar-Sangareddy extending 189 km.

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Both segments are planned for upgrades to national highway standards, with initial construction as four-lane highways, expandable to eight lanes as traffic demands increase. The RRR is projected to attract industries, services, and transport parks, with estimated costs of Rs 13,522 crore for the northern part and Rs 12,980 crore for the southern part.

Additional budget allocations include Rs 3,065 crore for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Rs 500 crore for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and Rs 3,385 crore for the Metro Water Works. Furthermore, Rs 200 crore is designated for the newly established Hyderabad Disaster Relief and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), responsible for managing the Core Urban Region (CUR) up to the Outer Ring Road, a vital area that contributes significantly to the state's economy and GSDP growth.

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The rapid urbanisation of Hyderabad's outskirts, driven by the presence and expansion of IT, pharma, defence, and aerospace industries, was noted, with urban growth in Telangana surpassing the national average at 3.2%.

Among the government's top priorities is the Musi Riverfront development project, with a proposed budget of Rs 1,500 crore aimed at revitalising the Musi River ecosystem and enhancing 110 km of urban area with recreation zones, people’s plazas, children’s theme parks, and entertainment areas.

The budget also includes Rs 100 crore for extending the Metro to the airport, Rs 200 crore for the Outer Ring Road (ORR), Rs 500 crore for Hyderabad Metro Rail, Rs 500 crore for extending the Metro to the old city, and Rs 50 crore for the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS).

(With IANS Inputs)