Andhra Pradesh CM's unkept promises regarding libraries

HYDERABAD: Grandly announcing that he wanted to dispel the impression among people of the Old City that they were in any way less than those from other parts of town, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy went on a foundation stone laying spree in June last year. Calling himself a 'Hyderabadi' he laid foundation stones for at least four projects, all of which have failed to take off.

The construction of an e-library in Barkas at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh during the Rachabanda programme is one such project which failed to fructify. GHMC officials said the existing structure which houses the library is in a deplorable condition and needs to be razed to make way for a new building which would house the conventional library and the e-library. But the AP Granthalaya Samastha (APGS) which manages the existing library is opposing this proposal tooth and nail.

Sources from the GHMC and APGS said that the contention of the latter is that the land was registered in the name of the library and therefore, the GHMC cannot take up any construction on the land. It was reported in these columns in April this year that it was decided that APGS would take up construction and management of the library. However, as the dispute between the two bodies remained unresolved, GHMC decided to take up the construction on a separate land and is now eyeing other land parcels in the area for the e-library. Ayesha Rubina, GHMC co-option member, said, "All attempts to reach an amicable solution with the APGS have failed. Though a formal proposal is yet to be made, we have identified around 350 square yards of land near the community hall in Barkas." However, sources noted that with local politicians and other departments unofficially vying for possession of the new land parcel, alienation was a tough task.

The National Academy of Construction's (NAC) Advanced Skills Training Institute in Naseeb Nagar too was on the cards but incessant delays have left the project in limbo with not a single brick being laid. Training is being conducted in Owaisi School of Excellence in Jamal Colony. NAC officials said that more than two months have passed since files were handed over to the R&B department.

Kondal Rao, assistant director, NAC said, "All plans, drawings and technical sanctions are with R&B department. We are waiting for their response."

In need of respite from traffic woes due to haphazard parking of vehicles on roads, the residents of Khilwat and officials of Chowmahalla Palace had breathed a sigh of relief when the construction of a multi-level parking complex was announced. More than 15 months later, the situation is the same. Officials from the GHMC have been claiming for the past three months that soil testing for the project has been done 'only fifteen days ago'.

While an impressive sum of Rs 4.5 crore was announced for the renovation of the Government Nizamia Tibbi College, walls and domes are still cracking or collapsing frequently. Officials from the unani college said that poor response to tenders was causing the delay. "It took seven years for promotions to be granted. But the building cannot wait that long.

Everyday chips from the ceiling fall off and cases of wall collapse are not infrequent. The authorities must restore the building soon or else the lives of patients and staff are at risk," an official requesting anonymity said.

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