Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) KT Rama Rao has sought the Central assistance of Rs 100 crore for roads that were severely damaged due to heavy rains that lashed Hyderabad recently.

KTR met Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on Thursday. He sought the Central assistance of over Rs 1,189 crore for repair works of all damaged roads in the city. Due to the recent heavy rainfall in all the municipalities including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation roads were severely damaged. He also sought special funds for the development of infrastructure in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state.

Rama Rao explained Venkaiah Naidu about the state government’s efforts to strengthen ULBs and requirement of funds for various developmental programs. He also said that the state need assistance for undertaking road restoration works which were damaged in the downpour.

Rama Rao also met Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu. According to sources, Rao requested the railway minister to waive Rs 75-80 crore that the South Central Railway (SCR) had been demanding towards Traffic Blockage Charges (TBC) to allow the Metro Rail to be built over the railway lines in Hyderabad.

The three corridors of Metro cross SCR railway lines at eight points in the city. The SCR is seeking a TBC of Rs 10 crore per crossing.

“The SCR issued orders in July this year directing the Metro Rail to pay the TBC. This should be withdrawn as no such charges were levied on the Metros in Bengaluru and Chennai,” Rao reportedly told Suresh Prabhu.

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BY M. DIVYA SRI