Secunderabad: Defence Ministry approves transfer of 6.85 lakh sqm land to HMDA to ease traffic congestion
The corridors are proposed from Paradise Junction to Military Dairy Farm Road on SH-1, and up to Shamirpet on NH-44
By Newsmeter Network
Representational Image
Hyderabad: Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the transfer of 6.85 lakh square meters of land to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to ease traffic congestion in Secunderabad.
The land will be used for constructing elevated corridors along State Highway-1 (SH-1) and National Highway-44 (NH-44).
Approval for Key Projects
The corridors are proposed from Paradise Junction to Military Dairy Farm Road on SH-1, and up to Shamirpet on NH-44. The defence ministry issued a corrigendum conveying Presidential approval to amend its earlier order from March 2024, thus clearing the way for the transfer.
Under this agreement, 4,59,222.70 sq.m has been earmarked for SH-1 and 2,26,039.91 sq.m for NH-44. The transfer will take place in exchange for equal-value land (EVL) and cash compensation.
Land valuation details
The land parcels are spread across multiple survey numbers and are managed by the Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), DRDO, Directorate General of Quality Assurance, Defence Estates Office (DEO), and the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB). The land value has been assessed at ā¹954 crore for SH-1 and ā¹748 crore for NH-44.
For SH-1, major portions include Army-managed Military Roads and lands under the DEO and Cantonment Board, covering leased and civil areas. For NH-44, large tracts are under Army and DRDO management, with some falling under Old Grant and Cantonment Board classifications.
MoU for infrastructure in return
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the indenting authority and the CEO of Secunderabad Cantonment Board to create equivalent value infrastructure (EVI) in lieu of the land vested with the Board. If the cost of EVI is less than the land value, the remaining amount will be deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India.
The DEO will manage financial transactions and escrow arrangements, while the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) will monitor and report compliance with EVI norms.
Centre Allocates Rs 303 Cr for Cantonment Development
In a related development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved ā¹303 crore for infrastructure works in the Secunderabad Cantonment area, following repeated representations from Union Minister Kishan Reddy.
Special escrow account for funds
To facilitate the construction of the elevated corridors, the land compensation, instead of being deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India, will be placed into a special escrow account linked to the SCB. This ensures that funds are used exclusively for development projects within the cantonment.
Development works planned
Once the state government deposits the compensation into the escrow account, the SCB has been instructed to commence works such as improving underground drainage systems, enhancing drinking water supply, constructing retaining walls along drains, and building internal roads.
Union Minister Kishan Reddy expressed gratitude to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for approving the funds and ensuring that cantonment residents directly benefit from this major infrastructure initiative.
