Just a few days back, the GHMC authorities made tall claims that the city of Hyderabad ranked 13 in the ‘Best Sustainable City’ category. However, much to the disgust of local citizens, the reality is that it has plunged 14 places from rank 23 to rank 37 in the current year’s Swachh Survekshan rankings that have been declared this year. In fact, the situation is such that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is struggling to complete the mega projects under its limits.

Though GHMC allegedly sent false reports to the Centre to retain its ranking, it could not make it to the top 25, competing with 4320 other cities across the country. In the past, it competed with 48 other cities, which had a population of less than 40 lakh. Now, with only Rs 220 crore remaining with the civic authority to complete SRDP, officials choosing anonymity say that GHMC is worried about the ongoing infrastructure projects in the city.GHMC has already spent Rs 3000 crore, which includes Rs 1000 crore municipal bonds and Rs 1750 crore funds raised in the form of Rupee Term Loan (RTL). Earlier, the municipal administration and urban development department issued GO No 763 to raise loans worth Rs 2500 crore. During the lockdown, it completed various projects at a fast pace and completed flyovers and underpasses at several places.

According to top officials of GHMC, the SRDP project requires a total of Rs 25000 crore. GHMC managed to take up skyway works worth Rs 6000 in phase I during the pandemic. However, it could execute projects worth Rs 3000. And now, the situation is such that no financial institution is coming forward to lend money for infrastructure projects, and GHMC has to rely on the state government for the release of funds solely.

The GHMC officials say they managed to complete the right-hand side flyover and underpass at LB Nagar Junction, apart from flyovers at Shaikpet, Bahadurpura, and Owaisi Junction. However, the steel bridge project at Nalgonda X Roads, Indira Park-VST skyway, and other pending flyovers in the western part of the city will come to a grinding halt if the state government does not release funds to the civic authority.