First time after Independence, the extent of defence and civilian areas will be demarcated in the Secunderabad Cantonment limits through a proper survey. Experts from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad have agreed to prepare a comprehensive master plan for Secunderabad Cantonment at an estimated cost of Rs 17.53 lakh. The master plan will identify the existing road network, water, drainage and storm water lines and also prepare an inventory of existing land use and suggest a land use plan for the future. Though a master plan was prepared earlier too, it was not comprehensive. It is now being modified to cover all aspects, Secunderabad Cantonment Board chief executive officer S. Balakrishna said.
The Cantonment Board meeting on Wednesday approved the proposal for the master plan. Currently, there are only 16 “officially declared” civilian areas in the Cantonment limits that were demarcated during the British regime. Over the years, new residential colonies have mushroomed in B-2 category of the land that comprises private as well as state government-allotted patta lands. Officials said nearly 300 colonies have come up in B-2 category land and since they are not officially declared as civil areas, all building plans on these lands have to be approved by the entire Cantonment Board.