Headless HMDA adrift in unknown waters.

These are uncertain times for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). With near-empty coffers, little resources, its projects in limbo and no full-time chief to manage its affairs, the planning body has most of its activities put on hold.

A month ago, the Telangana government relieved Neerabh Kumar Prasad of his role as HMDA Commissioner, and Special Chief Secretary K. Pradeep Chandra was asked to bear the additional charge. In the absence of a regular Commissioner to take care of its affairs, several projects that have been in the pipeline wait to be pursued and taken forward.

At the same time, senior officials await clarity on the status of projects that were conceived by the former Commissioner under the earlier government.

'Most concepts such as Education Hub, Hyderabad Habitat Centre, Science City, Transit Oriented Development and Land Pooling were conceived during the Congress rule, before the State was bifurcated. We are trying to understand how the government of newly-created Telangana will view these,' an official said.

Mr. Neerabh Kumar's exit from the HMDA has also resulted in a situation where either a full-time Commissioner has to be appointed, who would then go through the concepts and pursue them, or the present in-charge Commissioner gets briefed, and he in turn takes the matter forward with government.

'Almost all projects have to be briefed and opinions sought afresh from the new government,' concedes another official.


THE HINDU