The HMDA was proposed to ensure scientific and regulated development in view of the fast expansion and growth around the State capital region, spreading to the surrounding districts. In other words, the HMDA would be an upgraded version of HUDA with its jurisdiction increasing three-fold.

The current extent of the Hyderabad Metropolitan region with four UDAs and Cantonment covered an extent of about 2,000 sq. km and now it was proposed to include an additional area of 4,655 sq.km. The population in HMDA would be 78 lakhs, with 13 lakhs population being brought newly under its fold.

The proposed HMDA jurisdiction would cover 54 mandals in five districts, Hyderabad (all 16 mandals), Medak (10), Ranga Reddy (22), Mahbubnagar (2) and Nalgonda (4), according to sources. More importantly, the new body to be headed by the Chief Minister himself would have planning as well as enforcement powers and it would incorporate and involve local bodies in the new three-tier structure. The administration would be decentralised and the planning staff would be incorporated from panchayats, district level boards and local bodies. They would be supported by a central office and made accountable for enforcement of norms and regulations in their respective areas, officials said.

While Greater Hyderabad would pave the way for provision of basic civic amenities, uniform development in the surrounding municipalities which remained neglected so far due to paucity of funds, HMDA would ensure regulated and planned development, with road network and transportation infrastructure under its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the eight panchayats that were originally planned to be merged under Greater Hyderabad along with the municipalities would retain their identity for the time being and would be made part of Greater Hyderabad only after the end of the term of their elected bodies. They are Shamshabad, Satamrai, Jalpally, Mamidipalli, Almanguda, Mankhal, Sardarnagar and Ravirala.

The 12 surrounding municipalities that would merge are Kukatpally, Qutbullapur, Serilingampally, Rajendranagar, Malkajgiri, Uppal, Alwal, Kapra, L.B.Nagar, Gaddiannaram, Patancheru and Ramachandrapuram. With this the extent of Grater Hyderabad would increase from 179 sq.km to 625.52 sq.km.

Source : The Hindu Web site.

url : http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/17/stories/2006011718020100.htm