Revamping Karimnagar: ORR project to decongest the city

Karimnagar: The Satavahana Urban Development Authority (SUDA) has begun efforts to finalise a comprehensive master plan for Karimnagar, which aims to transform the region with modern infrastructure. With Rs 1.75 crore allocated by the Central government under the AMRUT-1 package for Karimnagar, Adilabad and Ramagundam areas, SUDA is racing against time to complete the project by December 31. Delhi-based DDF Consultancy has been tasked to conduct the survey and draft the proposals. However, the delay necessitated a meeting of stakeholders, where officials resolved to expedite the process. The survey should be completed within 45 days to avoid the risk of losing the allocated funds. A major highlight of the master plan is the construction of an outer ring road to connect Karimnagar with its surrounding villages. This will help decongest the city traffic, facilitate smooth transportation and boost connectivity by diverting vehicles away from urban areas. Speaking to The Hans India, SUDA chairman Komatireddy Narendra Reddy highlighted that the old master plan has hindered development. “Chief minister Revanth Reddy has expanded the scope of SUDA by considering the district as one unit; extensive development is certain to happen through SUDA. Even small villages will develop a lot in the coming times. The master plan will be approved soon,” he said. The master plan covers municipalities like Kothapalli and 64 surrounding villages, apart from the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation. It aims to address urban challenges, such as population growth and infrastructure constraints. SUDA will also identify areas for industrial, residential, commercial and green zones, leading to orderly development. District collector Pamela Satpathy, municipal commissioner Chahat Bajpai and SUDA vice-chairman Praful Desai attended the stakeholders’ meeting, where they discussed essential aspects of the plan. The committee also highlighted the need to update building permit regulations, especially on internal roads and main highways, to accommodate future development. Stakeholders acknowledged that construction permits in towns and villages largely followed outdated processes, making it difficult to meet the growing needs of the region. The consultancy will analyse these issues and propose solutions to enhance urban planning and infrastructure development. The new master plan will categorise areas into industrial, residential, semi-residential, commercial, green and red zones, bringing clarity and structure to future construction. With the final proposals expected to be approved by December 31, the face of Karimnagar is set to undergo a significant change in the coming year.