HYDERABAD: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit, comprising Justice Nadeem Akhtar and Justice Arshad Hussain Khan has made “court’s rule” 15 recommendations of the Hyderabad deputy commissioner regarding change of status of plots from residential to commercial.

The DC had submitted his report in court praying that a ban on changing the status be imposed and zones for high-rise buildings in Hyderabad be limited because the “Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) have failed to check unbridled expansion of Hyderabad”.

The DC’s report has sought an amount of Rs1,733m for a road development programme which, he said, would cater to the needs of Hyderabad for the next 25 years.

The report was submitted in the wake of an anti-encroachment drive launched under a court order.

Making the DC’s 15 recommendations “court’s rule”, the bench directed the provincial finance secretary to appear in person on March 11 and share a time-frame showing as to when the funds, as mentioned in the report, would be arranged and disbursed to the departments concerned for the implementation of court’s order.

SBCA, HDA failed to check unbridled expansion of city, DC informs court

In his report, DC Fuad Ghaffar Soomro stated that state-owned lands worth Rs869m had been retrieved from unauthorised occupants in the drive so far.

On Jan 28, the court had directed the DC to ensure removal of encroachments from public places, roads, streets and footpaths within 30 days. The DC stated that substantial percentage of target was achieved but underlying issues surfaced which contributed to encroachment. He asked court to allow continuation of the drive for a few more months.

The court allowed the request and granted another 30 days to continue the drive.

Recommendations included reason for unsuccessful anti-encroachment operations in long run is departments’ inability to utilize retrieved land suitably. DC said administration conducted a feasibility study for expansion of roads, especially in areas where drive was launched.

Besides seeking funds for road infrastructure, the DC sought court’s directives to the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) to ensure alignment of electrical poles at the end of right of way and shifting of such poles at its own expense. In commercial areas, Hesco should adopt a robust mechanism for laying electrical lines underground to avoid encroachments and public hazards.

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and municipal committees of Qasimabad and Tandojam be directed to remove encroachments, including generators, within 30 days. The DC sought a ban on multistorey buildings along Wadhu Wah Road and certain other roads, recommending a detailed study. Till then, complete ban be imposed on ground-plus-three floors. Under no circumstances approvals be given for more than ground-plus-five storey buildings on a road with less than 150ft width.

An oversight committee comprising Hesco, HDA, Wasa, traffic management authority and district administration be formed to formulate a plan for sustainable development and expansion of the city, the DC’s report suggested.

According to the report, a major chunk (40pc) of betterment charges goes to the SBCA with no contribution in infrastructure while HMC gets 40pc that is seldom invested in beautification. Wasa gets a meagre share of 20pc of the total charges. The DC recommended 60pc for Wasa and HMC 30pc with condition that the money would be spent within half kilometre radius of an approved project. SBCA should get 10pc only, he added.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2021