Hyderabad (HRNW)- Director General Hyderabad Development Authority Dr. Afshan Rubab Syed stated that the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry would be included in the HDA Governing Body so that the views and proposals of the city’s economic stakeholders could become an integral part of every development scheme and project. She said that the Government of Sindh, in coordination with all relevant departments, is taking concrete steps to improve the performance of HDA, and that the recommendations of the Sindh Master Plan Authority and the Hyderabad Chamber would be actively incorporated into future planning. She expressed these views while addressing traders during her visit to the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry.
She said that making the Gulistan-e-Sarmad Scheme accessible to traders and the general public is among HDA’s top priorities for the current year. Work on water supply had already begun, while coordination with the HESCO Chief for electricity provision was underway. She offered the Hyderabad Chamber to establish an office in Gulistan-e-Sarmad to help restore confidence among traders and the public, announced that farmhouses would be developed on commercial plots and offered on lease, pledged to build a recreational park for public welfare, and invited traders to invest in the construction of markets and shopping malls along the same corridor.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting President of the Hyderabad Chamber emphasized that strong institutional cooperation between HDA and the Chamber was essential to improve city planning, zoning, housing schemes, infrastructure development and the overall investment climate. He said that only a stable and effective HDA could provide the foundation for a well-planned, investment-friendly and economically strong Hyderabad, and that by combining institutional experience, field data and ground realities, both organizations could achieve sustainable solutions to urban and business challenges. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Director General, HDA would once again play an active and constructive role in the city’s development and that the meeting would mark the beginning of a meaningful and result-oriented partnership.
Convener of the Local Government Sub-Committee, Kashif Shaikh, pointed out that HDA had failed to perform its statutory role over the past two decades, resulting in serious gaps in planning, administration and basic service delivery across the city. He said that low- and middle-income citizens remained deprived of affordable housing, effective master planning, zoning and urban beautification were largely absent, and despite rapid population growth and urban expansion, HDA’s jurisdiction had not been appropriately extended. He further highlighted that the Traffic Engineering Department had remained inactive for nearly two decades, adversely affecting traffic management, road design and urban mobility. He stressed the need for operational restructuring through outsourcing of non-core functions and adoption of public-private partnership models. He also expressed grave concern over the non-completion of housing and development schemes announced over the past thirty-five years despite full payments from the public, and termed the Housing Department practically dysfunctional. He demanded immediate institutional reforms, transparency, accountability and performance-based revival to ensure that citizens receive their rightful services.
On this occasion, the Director General issued clear instructions to departmental officers on all the points raised and provided satisfactory responses to the members’ questions. Former presidents, members of the Executive Committee, conveners and general body members were also present at the meeting.
