HYDERABAD: Due to lack of consensus between Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the first ever proposed master plan and land use for Secunderabad Cantonment area has been put on hold for more than six months.
Unless the matter is sorted out between SCB and HMDA, the proposed master plan for SCB may not move forward. Since the inception of SCB, there is no master plan and land use plan for SCB leading to haphazard development of Secunderabad Cantonment area. Secunderabad Cantonment is spread over in an area of 40.17 sq.km with a civilian population of over 5-6 lakh. Secunderabad Cantonment area is a local body falling under the administrative control of the Union defence ministry. Primarily, the SCB is responsible for carrying out civic amenities to the residents of the Cantonment area.
On the request of SCB, HMDA through the state government has decided to prepare a detailed master plan for Secunderabad Cantonment last year. In this connection, it floated bids and finalised lowest bidder M/s Feedback Infra Pvt Ltd (Gurgoan) to prepare the master plan and land use plan in about six months time.
The executive committee of HMDA which met on February 18 has approved the above said agency who quoted about `62 lakh.
The HMDA has written a letter to SCB to give acceptance and pay `68.20 lakh including 10 percent of administrative charges (`6.20 lakh) for procurement of satellite imagery, manpower and other costs.
However, the SCB in a letter to HMDA on February 23 this year urged to reduce the quantum of amount and stated that scope of work relating to survey and demarcation of defence land and fixing the position of the boundary pillars of SCB using DGPS and developing interface of GIS/Autocad has already been done by JNTUH.
The HMDA in another letter to SCB on April 28 this year informed them that as per the RFP (tender bid) for preparation of master plan and land use for SCB area there is no division of payment for the activities to be performed in the master plan.
The work stated in the agreement can be available in GIS format and won’t be a duplication of work between the consultant and JNTUH. Another reminder was sent to CB on August 10, but there has been no reply, HMDA officials added.
The Cantonment Act 1924 revised in 2006 has provision for preparation of a spatial plan for Land Use to be followed in the Cantonment Area. The City Development Plan prepared for Greater Hyderabad under JNNURM did not include Secunderabad Cantonment Area. In that context SCB requested HMDA to prepare a Cantonment Development Plan to forecast the requirements of basic infrastructure facilities and submit it to Central government for funding from Central Government.
Compared to the GHMC, the level of services and infrastructure in Secunderabad Cantonment is lacking. In addition, lack of comprehensive development and master plan for the Cantonment, has further aggravated the problems.
Presently, there are 62 Cantonments in India distributed among five Army commands. The cantonments were divided into four categories on the basis of civil population. Secunderabad Cantonment area falls under Category-I.