Model markets lie unused despite ₹6 crore investment
KUKATPALLY:Â Residents allege rising nuisance and seek immediate repurposing
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s plan to develop model markets across Kukatpally zone has remained stalled for nine years, leaving 12 buildings unused despite spending ₹6 crore.
The project was launched in 2015 across five circles in Kukatpally zone to provide a single commercial cluster for small traders. Each building was designed as G+1 with 14 shops and an ATM room. The shops were to be leased at rates lower than open-market rentals to help small businesses while generating steady revenue for the civic body.
However, officials failed to attract tenants. GHMC issued eight notifications in the past nine years, but not a single circle received applications for even one shop. Traders cited high rents and low footfall in enclosed structures as key reasons.
A few shops allotted earlier in the KPHB Colony division’s CBCID Colony were vacated within months after allottees stopped paying rent.
With the buildings lying idle, GHMC repurposed three of them, one in Gayathrinagar under Quthbullapur circle and another in Jagadgirigutta under Gajularamaram circle as ward offices, and one in Alwal circle as a library. Nine buildings, however, remain vacant.
Residents say these unused structures have become shelters for habitual drinkers after dark. People in Hasmathpet near Old Bowenpally complained of antisocial activities inside the model market building.
Locals have demanded that GHMC put the vacant spaces to immediate use. Kukatpally zone superintendent engineer Chinna Reddy said an exercise has begun to revive the model markets and the civic body is considering lowering shop rents.
All 12 buildings were completed by August 2016.
