HMDA to decentralise administration with 16 new divisions across ORR

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to decentralise its administration by creating 16 divisions across the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Each cluster will have a director along with supporting staff.

The state government has already issued orders appointing one joint municipal commissioner (JMC) for areas within the ORR and another for areas beyond it. HMDA has been allotted two new JMC posts that did not exist earlier. A consultancy will engage to study decentralisation, levels of approval, and the structure of development plans. Based on its report, HMDA will finalise the framework. As part of this process, we have issued a request for proposals (RFP).

Permissions at zone level

Unlike the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), HMDA so far did not have a zoning system for administrative ease. The authorities divided the planning wing into six zones, while they kept overall administration centralised. Under the new plan, directors at JMC level will be empowered to grant approvals. The government expects this to speed up permissions and improve transparency.

Public need not approach head office

Each zone will function like GHMC zones, with a commissioner, planning officers, chief engineer and superintendent engineers. Approvals and other services will be completed within the respective zones.

This will reduce public dependence on the head office for routine work. The commissioner and key engineering officials will continue at the head office, but senior officers will minimise intervention. They will delegate authorities down to lower levels.

At present, HMDA covers 7,257 sq km across seven districts. The expansion will increase its jurisdiction to 10,472.72 sq km, covering 11 districts, 104 mandals and 1,355 villages.