Hyderabad Set To Grow Vertically

Skyscrapers will no longer be a glint in some architect’s eye. Nearly 20 superstructures are ready on the drawing boards, some even getting the mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the fire department and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Corporates and bigtime builders have come forward to construct skyscrapers in ‘Happening Hyderabad’ and its suburbs.

Though most high-rises are coming up in Huda limits, for the first time, a 75-metre high building (24 floors) is being planned at Gudimalkapur in the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) jurisdiction. If it gets the green signal, it will be the tallest building in MCH limits.

Other groups like Lanco, Pioneer and Lidcap are also planning to construct buildings of up to 100 metres height (30 floors). They even held preliminary discussions with the fire services department on the requirements for getting NOC a few weeks ago.

Of about 20 buildings, eight firms got NOC and permission for constructing skyscrapers in the recent past while the proposals of the rest are at various stages of approval. According to sources in builders associations, about 30 firms, including builders in other states are keen on taking up projects in the city.

Two firms have sought permission to put up structures of 60 metres (20 floors), while Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APPIC) plans to build a 60-floor building in Manchirevula.

These skyscrapers were permitted by Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), Industrial Local Authority of APIIC and MCH.

K Raheja IT park at Madhapur, My Home, SMR, Jayabheri Properties, Srinivasa Constructions, Aparna Constructions, L&T Infocity Limited, Maytas Properties have rolled out plans for skyscrapers in Madhapur and surrounding areas. Some of these firms have even got fire clearance.

The local authority of APIIC gave permission to maximum 16 floors in their jurisdiction, particularly in Madhapur. “Huda has permitted only buildings up to a maximum of 14 floors till now,” Huda director (planning) A V Bhide told TOI. Huda officials say they are ready to give permission if builders get NOC from fire services.

With many builders showing an interest in constructing skyscrapers, the fire services department has asked them to provide space for a helipad on the terraces of buildings of above 60 metres to take up fire-fighting exercises in the event of any mishap.

As per the new Building Rules, 2006, a skyscraper is defined as a building of at least 12 floors. It should have a plot size of 4,000 square yards and a minimum approach road of 24 metres.

High-rise buildings are defined as buildings between 18 metres and 36 metres height. For construction of any highrise building, NOCs from the fire services and AAI are mandatory. Provisional NOCs were issued to 100 builders since September, 2006. Of them, 70 are proposed in the city and Ranga Reddy district. However, 20 applications were filed exclusively to erect skyscrapers.

Until recently, the fire services department used to permit buildings up to 36 metres. Though some builders have shown interest to put up taller buildings, the fire officials refused permission as they do not have a snorkel which can reach above 30 metres in the event of a fire.

Last year, the municipal administration department had issued a GO for New Building Rules and in the GO, a skyscraper zone was created. According to the GO, skyscrapers will be permitted only outside MCH limits.

However, the GO is not being implemented as the skyscraper zone should be incorporated in the master plan being prepared by Huda.

But, builders say that there should not be any restrictions for skyscrapers in the city. “For a metropolis like Hyderabad, we need more skyscrapers. As vacant land is scarce in the city’s core areas, skyscrapers can provide a solution for its vertical growth,” AP Builders’ Association president P V S N Murthy told TOI.

SKY’S THE LIMIT

What’s a skyscraper?
According to the Building Rules 2006, any building over 36 metres or 12 floors can be classified as a skyscraper. For it to come up, the plot should be at least 4,000 square yards and have a 24-metre approach road.

Where are skyscrapers permitted?
Along the Inner Ring Road, river Musi, Gachibowli, Raidurg, Khajaguda, Manikonda area, south of the upcoming international airport at Shamshabad, Mankhal, Bagh Mankhal, Harshagudem, APHB Singapore township, Rampally and Ghatkesar. Also along the Outer Ring Road in Nallagandla, Tellapur area, Kollur, Edulanagupalli, Velimella, Nanakramguda, Gopanapalli, Miyapur, Aminpur and Sultanpur.

Strictly ‘no’ zone
Prohibited in areas within a kilometre radius of the proposed international airport at Shamshabad, defence installations, Air Force stations, Charminar, Falaknuma, Golconda and a few areas in Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills.

Available commercial space in city
One crore square feet in MCH area (core area). According to builders, another one crore square feet of commercial space will be created in the suburbs by next year.

A major firm is proposing to construct one lakh sft space in one floor with more than 10 floors in their 17 acre site at Miyapur. As per industry estimates, about Rs 10,000 crore would be needed to just ground 20 skyscrapers, excluding land value. Serilingampally, Kukatpally and Qutubullapur municipalities seem to be the new hotspots, as these civic bodies received most applications for skyscrapers

SOURCES:
Times Of India