25 urban pockets on outskirts of Hyderabad
November 6: Over two dozen areas located outside the limits of Greater Hyderabad are set to get the status of "urban pockets." The draft master plan being prepared for the extended areas of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has identified towns like Ghatkesar, Pochampally, Bhongir, Shadnagar, Shamirpet, Dundigal, Medchal, and Shankerpally, among others, that will be developed as urban pockets.The 25 urban pockets have a population of nearly 2.5 lakh and will be provided all facilities to encourage expansion here and decrease the load on the core city and its infrastructure. The major thrust is on expanding employment opportunities, setting up educational and entertainment centres, health and medical facilities, residential and commercial belts, with good transport.
The HMDA has also proposed to construct a 250 km long Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) to connect these urban pockets with each other and the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The plan is to construct a 150-200 ft road to connect urban pockets like Chevella, Sankarpally, Sangareddy, Toopran, Agapally, Bibinagar, Shadnagar and Choutuppal, spread over four districts of Ranga Reddy, Medak, Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda.
The HMDA director (planning), Mr A.V. Bhide, confirmed to this correspondent that the idea is to integrate the urban pockets with peripheral areas of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to facilitate uniform development in HMDA jurisdiction too. The draft master plan has also identified several locations for setting up railway passenger terminals and cargo terminals.
Though the HMDA area is spread over 7,225 sq km, the master plan is being prepared for only the extended areas of 4,920 sq km. Source: DC 7/11/10