Proposed Greater Council will have CEO

The proposed Greater Hyderabad Regional Council (GHRC) comprising eight municipal corporations and seven municipalities within the outer ring road (ORR) will have board members representing the municipal corporation and urban local bodies and it would be either headed by the GHMC mayor or MA&UD minister.

It would also have a CEO for administration with board members representing all city departments including GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL), police, MMTS, RTC, Telangana State Industrial

Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL), and Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL).

A Principal Secretaryrank officer will be the administrative head.

Sources said that an administration member will head the transport wing comprising all modes of transport including HMRL, MMTS, RTC, etc. The department will extend public connectivity in the regional council at pace with the growing population. The remaining members will focus on projects like implementation of the sewerage master plan, the ring road construction, the construction of flyovers, land use regulations and environmental protection.

Funding for all major infrastructure projects will be under the Hyderabad and urban agglomeration budget. The state government has earmarked `10,000 crore for the current financial year and overall `50,000 crore over five years.

Sources claimed that the Hyderabad regional council is inspired by the Cape Breton Regional Council, Halifax Regional Council and councils in New Zealand, Scotland, Israel, France, Hong Kong, etc.

The best model that would suit the Hyderabad and its periphery will be implemented. A decision pertaining to the regional council will be taken once the Coronavirus subsides.