The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has decided to spend a sum of Rs.1,956 crore for improving the conditions of city roads, including Rs.1,000 crore earmarked exclusively for corridors selected under strategic road development programme, during the year 2015-16.

In its annual budget presented on Thursday which came with a total outlay of Rs.5,550 crore, the civic body has set aside Rs.200 crore for storm water drains and another Rs.605 crore for amenities and services. The RO water plants would be set up at 1,500 locations at a cost of Rs.50 crore, and energy efficient street lighting at an estimated Rs.35 crore.

In its plans for a slum-free Hyderabad, the GHMC earmarked Rs.450 crore for construction of 2BR houses for slum dwellers and allocated Rs.37 crore for other initiatives such as beggar-free city, night shelters for homeless and Rs.5 food scheme.

The civic body looks to provide special thrust on creating modern public conveniences including multi-purpose halls and development of graveyards with Rs.283 crore while another Rs.150 crore were assigned for greening the city and protection of water bodies.

“We have earmarked Rs.25 crore for making Hyderabad a safe city with installation of camera surveillance and other steps,” said Somesh Kumar, GHMC Commissioner and Special Officer.

Speaking to presspersons, he said the revenue and capital receipts of the civic body for the year were put at Rs.6,396 crore and after mandatory revenue surplus of Rs.846 crore.

On the income front, the main components included realising Rs.1,200 crore through property tax, Rs.300 crore from surcharge on stamp duty, Rs. 600 crore as town planning fee and Rs.100 crore from professional tax.

“Apart from these, the State government has already allotted Rs.628 crore for different schemes and we expect to receive Rs.467 crore from the Union government under various schemes,” Mr. Somesh Kumar said while announcing that there would be no hike in property tax in the city.

We have earmarked Rs.25 crore for making Hyderabad a safe city with installation of surveillance cameras. Rs.200 crore for storm water drains and Rs. 605 crore for amenities and services allotted in the budget - Somesh Kumar, GHMC Commissioner and Special Officer.