Hyderabad to have metropolitan status

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad will now have metropolitan status with the launch of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) here on Saturday.

With its official launch by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the HMDA will replace the 33-year-old Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA).

The HMDA will cover 1,000 villages in 54 mandals of five neighbouring districts and will become the third largest metropolitan region development authority in the country followed by Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Delhi Region Development Authority.

The Chief Minister, who will be the chairman of the HMDA, would also lay foundation for its central office at Hitex Grounds in Madhapur here.

The state government last year issued order for expanding the jurisdiction of HUDA, with Hyderabad city rapidly developing and extending over 6,850 sq km.

The HMDA will be headed by a commissioner and would do planning in urban forestry, lakes and environment, engineering finance, traffic and transportation, infrastructure and administration.

The HMDA jurisdiction would cover Hyderabad district, Medak, Ranga Reddy district, Mahaboobnagar and Nalgonda.