HMDA to call tenders for green lungs soon

​Hyderabad: Chief Secretary SK Joshi on Friday asked the officials concerned to complete tender process in one month to develop 59 urban forest parks under Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits.

At a review meeting at the Secretariat here with officials on urban forest parks spread in seven districts, he said the related works had to be completed by next March. The Chief Secretary said 59 sites had been identified in HMDA limits which could be developed as forest parks. 

He directed different departments including the Forest Department to take up the works and to develop 15 parks. HMDA should develop 17 parks, TSIIC 11, Tourism 7, Forest Corporation 4, GHMC 3 and Metro Rail 2 and complete the fencing and tender process works as per schedule, he said.

Joshi also asked to conduct a baseline survey through EPTRI and assess the underground waters, air quality and other factors to be involved. The officials were directed to frequently check the works by conducting inspections to ensure quality of works. All the parks, he said, should be developed for the benefit of the people in a pro-environment manner.

Principal Secretary of Forest Ajay Mishra, Principal Secretary to Industries Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary to Tourism B Venkatesham, HMDA Commissioner Chiranjeevulu, Metro Rail MD NVS Reddy, EPTRI DG B Kalyana Chakravarthy and other officials were present.