The city`s problems compounded when a mushroom growth of commercial plazas and residential schemes was witnessed not too long ago. There was inadequate investment in civic infrastructure because civic bodies were headed by administrators after the abolition of the local bodies` institution.

The city of Hyderabad, located along the left bank of the Indus, was once known as `the city of opposition` because of its resistance against quite a few military and civilian governments.

Perhaps that is why the governments have always denied it the development rights that it deserved.

The city`s problems compounded when a mushroom growth of commercial plazas and residential schemes was witnessed not too long ago. There was inadequate investment in civic infrastructure because civic bodies were headed by administrators after the abolition of the local bodies` institutions in the early `90s by the central government.

In 2001 Pakistan was given a devolution plan by the military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf through his National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB). To give Hyderabad its due, a Hyderabad Development Package (HDP) worth Rs10.5 billion was announced for the pre-bifurcated Hyderabad on the pattern of Karachi which was too given a package worth Rs29 billion.

Funds for the HDP were divided into three districts — Matiari, Tando Allahyar and Tando Mohammad Khan — carved out of Hyderabad. While work on Karachi`s development projects kicked off, different controversies hampered implementation of projects related to Hyderabad with the then prime minister, Mir Zafarullah

Jamali, denying that any such package was announced by him or the president.

However, the second round of local bodies` elections in 2005 marked the beginning of a new era of development for this neglected city. As a result of 2002 polls, a coalition government was formed with the MQM becoming the major ally in federal and Sindh governments. It handled the situation quite well in order to ensure that the promised funds for the Hyderabad Development Package were released.

Instead of going for selective or piecemeal development, the district government intervened in road, drainage, sewerage and water supply sectors at a time with major parts of the city cutting a sorry state. It led to a sharp criticism of the district government`s strategy. “Almost all sectors needed immediate developments, so we opted to execute work in one go,” said District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil.

Hyderabad doesn`t have alternate arteries like Karachi for diversion of traffic. Once a main road is dug up, commuters are bound to suffer. A natural calamity in the shape of heavy monsoon rains in September 2006 dealt a severe blow to the district government`s plans as parts of Latifabad and Qasimabad were inundated with rainwater, as a result of which the army had to be called in to launch relief and rescue operations.

Rains, however, proved to a blessing in disguise. They enabled development planners to asses the grey areas. That`s why this year`s monsoon rains (85.5mm) didn`t cause any hassle on roads which remained cleared of rainwater as the newly-laid sewerage and drainage lines had started working.

So far Rs14.5 billion have been spent on 1,253 schemes in the district where construction of multi-storey plazas is now linked with zoning of areas. An amount of Rs1247.7 million has been spent on construction of asphalt roads. The city`s first ever flyover (between Hyderabad and Latifabad) has been completed at a cost of Rs520 million. It has made a remarkable difference in easing the traffic load.

A mega project of the Ghangra Mori bypass at a cost of Rs900 million is also on, which will have four parallel 12-ft and 11-kilometre roads, while another will be built on the other side of the Lined Channel. “It will facilitate travelling between the interior of Sindh and Karachi,” said Jamil.

As far as water supply is concerned, Rs2990 million are being spent on 104 new pipelines in addition to two new filter plants in Hala Naka and Paretabad, each having a 10MGD capacity.

The expansion of the existing filter plant will be done at a cost of Rs800 to increase its capacity to 50MGD from 30MGD to meet water consumption needs till 2025 against the present consumption of 65 MGD. A massive sewerage project is being undertaken at a cost of Rs3197.5 million which will take care of the release of sewerage into Phulelli Canal and the River Indus — freshwater sources.

Hyderabad`s only recreational spot — Rani Bagh — will soon be opened to public with an expenditure of Rs150 million.

So Hyderabad seems to be back on track.