(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The activists believe that such grandiose plans would only destroy the ecology and endanger the lake.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao may be pushing hard for rapid development of Hyderabad and its environs as a major industrial and commercial hub but some of his plans like the string of skyscrapers he plans to build around the historic Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city have not gone down well among environmentalists.
The activists believe that such grandiose plans would only destroy the ecology and endanger the lake. As per the plan the world’s tallest tower will come up on the sprawling Sanjeevaiah Park along the lake along with several other skyscrapers at 40 locations spread over 100 acres.
The locations have been identified for the first phase of the project around the picturesque Hussain Sagar which divides the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The prestigious project brainchild of KCR as the chief minister is known involves building a ‘necklace of skyscrapers’ to transform the skyline of Hyderabad. At present the world’s tallest tower is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The 828 metres high tower has 163 floors.
Demanding immediate scrapping of the ‘towering’ plan M Veda Kumar President of Forum for Better Hyderabad a city-based NGO said: “Over the last three decades Andhra rulers left no stone unturned to pollute the glorious and great Hussain Sagar.” he also pointed that the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government had sanctioned 18 construction projects around the lake to end its historic status.
Says G Shankar Narayan a renowned city-based architect: “Tank Bund is one of the few public places in the city meant for relaxation. Constructing skyscrapers will destroy the unique character of this centre piece of our city.”
The government has decided to drain the water out of the huge lake spread over 5.7 sq km and clear the sediment and muck while constructing skyscrapers in the adjoining Sanjeeviah Park spread over 100 acres in the first phase. Stating that there would be no hurdles on the path of the project since all the lands identified belonged to the government the chief minister also sought to allay the fears expressed by environmentalists that the project could damage the historic lake and its environs.
“The project will be undertaken within the environmental norms prescribed by the Supreme Court. The sewage from the towers will not be released into the lake” KCR said.
The plan is to develop 60- to 100-storeyed skyscrapers to house government office business establishments entertainment centres and other public and private institutions. The government will consider proposals like building the towers and giving them on lease or entrusting the construction to private developers.
Meanwhile on Wednesday the chief minister identified 11000 acres of land at Mucherla in Ranga Reddy district to establish a state-of-the-art Pharma City which would also house a university and a research institute.
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