GHMC and HMDA are not Alike | Vajra Builders and Developers
Hyderabad, the coveted jewel and the capital of Telangana is considered to be one of the most developed cities of India. A well developed city like Hyderabad needs a proper planning, coordination and also proper maintenance and cleanliness. It has a number of civic bodies who have taken up the responsibility of keeping Hyderabad afloat and making it the preferred destination of many. We have often heard the words GHMC and HMDA but most of us are not aware about their functions. These two are the most prominent civic bodies of Hyderabad. They are not alike. They are different. Let’s get to know how they are not alike.
1 . GHMC is for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation
GHMC is a civic body for the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad (Cantonment Board – not included) and is responsible for their civic administration and infrastructure. It is one of the largest municipal corporations of India holding a population of 7.9 million and covering an area of 650 km square. Spread across four districts to be precise, Hyderabad, Medchal, Ranga Reddy and Sangareddy, GHMC comprises of previous Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) along with 10 municipalities and 8 panchayats of earlier Ranga Reddy district and 2 municipalities of erstwhile Medak District.
To maintain the city of Hyderabad, GHMC co-ordinates with various other government organizations like HMDA, HMR, HMWS&SB, TSRTC, Hyderabad Traffic Police, etc. and provides the basic urban services to the citizens but GHMC and HMDA are not alike.
1 . 1 . Administration of GHMC
GHMC of Hyderabad is headed by a Municipal Commissioner, and also a Special Commissioner, both of them should be an IAS officer. They are elected by the government of Telangana. The executive powers of GHMC are in the hands of the Commissioner.
GHMC comprises of six zones – north, south, east, west, north east and central zones, 30 circles and 150 wards. Each ward has a corporator as the head, who comes into power through election that takes place after every 5 years. They in turn elect the City Mayor who will be the so-called head of GHMC. The Corporators will be responsible for their constituencies and assure that they have the basic civic infrastructure and there is no lacuna on part of the concerned authorities. This civic body of the city is in charge of providing basic infrastructure to the city. GHMC works through four organs namely Council, Mayor, standing Committees and Commissioner.
Each zone of GHMC has a Zonal Commissioner, an officer of the rank of additional commissioner with a Deputy Municipal Commissioner heading every circle. Each zone will also have a separate engineering wing with an Engineer in Chief and Chief Engineer at head office level who in turn will be supported by a Superintending Engineer. A town planning wing is also available for each zone with an Additional Commissioner (Planning) and a Chief City Planner at the head office level and a city planner too.
2 . HMDA is for Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority
HMDA has the responsibility of the planning, co-ordination, supervising, promoting and securing the planned development of the city. This civic body of Hyderabad was formed by the integration of the development authorities like Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA) which was formed for the development of Hussain Sagar lake and its surroundings, Cyberabad Development Authority (CDA) which was created for the development of areas around Hi-Tech City, Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA) – formed for the development of areas in and around the airport and Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) which came into existence for approval of land utilization and creating master plans for areas under its jurisdiction.
HMDA comprises of seven districts, 70 mandals, and 1032 villages, as well as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation which has 175 villages and 12 municipalities / nagar panchayats with 31 villages. HMDA functions in accord with municipal corporations, municipalities and other local authorities, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board, the Telangana Transmission Corporation, the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation and other bodies.
2 . 1 . Functions of HMDA
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HMDA is responsible for the Metropolitan Plan for the development of Hyderabad. It is also responsible for the development and investment plan of the city and for its revision and implementation.
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HMDA maintains and manages the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Fund and also has the authority to allocate finances to the plans and programmes of the local bodies which carry out the development of amenities and infrastructure facilities.
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It also monitors and exercises financial control over the budgetary allocations concerned with development works. It gives approval for land utilization for the development of the city. It can also propose and execute urban development projects, either directly or through local authorities.
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HMDA also has the power to approve the land acquisition proposals of the local authorities, departments and agencies in the metropolitan region. It can also allocate land to local bodies or agencies for development of amenities and infrastructure.
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It manages the Hyderabad Metropolitan Land Development Bank. It can take up land acquisition every year as per the requirement for various public uses, township development, infrastructure development, etc.
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It serves as an apex body for planning, coordinating and executing the planned development in metropolitan region. It gives approvals for the layouts and buildings.
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It also has the power to acquire any movable or immovable property by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, mortgage, negotiated settlement, or by any other means which is permissible under any law.
3 . GHMC and HMDA are not Alike
GHMC means Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and HMDA stands for Hyderabad Urban Development Authority. GHMC and HMDA both are civic bodies of Hyderabad that work in coordination for the development of the city but they are not alike. They are considered to be the only authorized issuing authorities for any building or layout activity in and around the city of Hyderabad. GHMC is responsible for municipal related activities and HMDA takes care of the planning of Hyderabad. HMDA can give approval of land utilization for various purposes. It gives approvals for layouts and buildings. If a layout is approved by HMDA, then there is no one to challenge it or change it at anytime. This civic body of Hyderabad prepares master plan for areas under its limits. HMDA also has the power to propose and execute urban development projects, either directly or through the local authorities. Hence we can bring to a close by saying that these two major civic bodies of Hyderabad are not alike. They work in coordination but have different duties to perform.
-Dharmapuri Mallikharjuna Raju
