KTR appealed the Central Government to share the costs for SRDP

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao appealed the Central Government to share the costs for Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP) being taken up in Hyderabad at a whopping cost of Rs 23,000 crore to ensure free flow of traffic.

As part of SRDP, 54 junctions are being developed by constructing flyovers, underpass, grade separators etc across the city. Already works at three junctions have been completed and works are underway at 18 junctions.Presently, works worth Rs.3,000 crore works are underway and shortly Rs.4,000 crore worth works will be commenced. If the Central government extends its support for SRDP, works can be expedited for the convenience of road users, said Rao while addressing at a programme to lay foundation for four road projects in the city.

He also requested the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to use his good offices for allocation of 100 acres of defence land in Secunderabad for construction of two elevated corridors to ease traffic congestion.Despite Telangana government being prepared to hand over 600 acres of land in lieu of 100 acres defence land, the Defence Ministry was not allotting the land. Replying to Rao’s plea, the Union Minister said he would do his best to address the issue.

Addressing on the occasion, Gadkari wanted the State governments to focus on using bio-ethanol as fuel than petrol and diesel. Already, auto makers Bajaj and TVS have been accorded permission for manufacturing vehicles, which run using 100 per cent bio-ethanol made out of rice and wheat straw.He said rice straw, as waste, is burnt in Punjab and Haryana, resulting in pollution in Delhi. Nearly, 280 litres of ethanol can be produced from one tonne of rice straw. If farmers manufacture ethanol, it will aid in curbing pollution, besides helping them reap good profits, he said.

The Union Minister also stressed on the usage of electric vehicles. In Nagpur, 200 electric taxis are being operated and there are 20 charging points. Operating cost of electric vehicles is much cheaper compared to the conventional vehicles, he said.Suggesting Rao to develop satellite cities around Hyderabad to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution, he said Mumbai was already getting choked with population and pollution.