Greater Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam not imperative for funds

Hyderabad, Apr 23 (UNI) Taking objection to Andhra Pradesh government's proposal for Greater Hyderabad' and Greater Visakhapatnam', National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member and Sanatnagar MLA M Shashidhar Reddy said it was high time the state government understands why Delhi Municipal Corporation had decided to bifurcate.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Reddy said he met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit to know about the Delhi Municipal Corporation divisions into East, Central and South Delhi.

He said he was told that division was good for better administation and to render better civic services to people.

He said the present population of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is 62 lakh.

''With Greater Hyderabad coming into effect, by 2020, our population would go up to 1.20 crore. When the Delhi Congress government can take the decision to bifurcate, how can the Andhra Pradesh government go ahead with expansion plans. In Hyderabad and Vizag there are hardly any studies supporting the expansion of cities. The move is only to get more funds for development from the Centre. There is no rule that cities other than mega-cities would not be getting funds from Centre", he said.

He clarified that under the Centre's Urban Renewal Mission for the entire country, 1600 crore were sanctioned with Andhra Pradesh alone getting Rs 1200 crore.

Mr Reddy the state government should plan development in such a way that people would get good administration and better civic services.

UNI ASJ VV 1801