How Hyderabad Is Upgrading Itself To Become A Better City

Hyderabad is aiming to up its game in city management. For this, it has introduced some new rules. PropGuide lists these latest developments: 

Hyderabad to leave behind Bengaluru

By 2020, reports suggest, Hyderabad's office space absorption would surpass that of Bengaluru's, the commercial hub of India. Although Bengaluru leads the way, the absorption rate in Hyderabad is expected to touch 38 million sq ft in the next two years. As of now, it is 45 million sq ft. Industry insiders project a good future for offices in the city, thanks to lower occupancy costs, stable government and new businesses heading here.

Penalty points: A new wave in traffic management

The Hyderabad Traffic Police has come up with a unique way to address rash driving and also, to manage traffic. It entails that out of a list of violations mentioned in the Motor Vehicles Act, 12 violations within 24 months could mean your license could be suspended. Also, the focus would be to pull up the driver and not the owner as against the other way around which often left the real culprit at large. This rule will be applicable in Cyberabad, Hyderabad and Rachakonda.

The DCP, Traffic, AV Ranganath has also reportedly said that the department would be looking at software applications to identify drivers even in e-challans.

Power cuts eased

Power deficit states in south India have a respite now. They can now buy power from a power surplus state. Now, the southern states can come into mutual agreements and can inform information regarding surplus or deficit power to the Southern Region Load Dispatch Centre (SRLDC) and work out the supply accordingly. This is good news for states reeling under the pressure of lack of power supply which at times effects small businesses leading to job losses, too.

Vacant plots? Pay taxes

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has decided that it would send notices to 60,000 plot owners in the area who have vacant plots registered in their names. The notice would demand a mandatory Vacant Land Tax or VLT to the tune of 0.50 per cent of the property cost at the time of registration to be paid annually until the build ing is constructed in the area.

This move is expected to add to GHMC's revenue while limiting instances of vacant properties where the owners buy land but live elsewhere.

Wrongly exempted in 2015, under the scanner again 

In 2015, GHMC exempted over five lakh homeowners from property tax, asking them to pay just a nominal amount of Rs 101 per annum. However, the move was supposed to benefit the underprivileged but many ineligible owners were also included. The base for exemption was on the ground that the property tax of such parties amounted to Rs 1,200 per annum or lesser. However, not everyone was eligible for the waiver, showed a resurvey. A decision is yet to be taken in this regard.