Khammam: On Wednesday, the Stambhadri Urban Development Authority (SUDA) released its long-awaited Draft Master Plan, covering an area of 571.83 square kilometers. This plan does not include the newly expanded limits set in October 2023 as per GO MS No: 185. The public can now review and submit feedback on this draft for the next 90 days. It includes the Khammam Municipal Corporation (KMC) and 45 revenue villages across seven mandals: Wyra, Khammam Rural, Kusumanchi, Mudigonda, Chintakani, Raghunadhapalem, and Konijerla.
Back in November 2019, the then BRS government initiated this plan with a target year of 2041. Bengaluru-based Centre for Symbiosis of Technology, Environment and Management (STEM), alongside AARVEE Associates from Hyderabad, took charge of the project. Though completed by November 2021, the plan awaited technical adjustments.
With a new administration, the Congress government expanded SUDA’s reach in October 2023, adding Madhira and Sathupalli municipalities and 279 villages, excluding agency areas. These were marked as a ‘Development Area’. Despite this, the current draft limits itself to the original SUDA boundaries.
Former SUDA Chairman Bachu Vijay Kumar expressed concerns to The Hans India, questioning the expansion’s purpose. He asked, “Why expand SUDA limits if the draft was ready? The public needs to know the development plans for these new areas.”
He called upon district ministers Bhatti Vikramarka, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and Tummala Nageswara Rao to clarify how these regions will fit into the urban development plan.
Officials say the Master Plan will direct urban growth until 2050. Notably, this notification occurs without a functional SUDA governing body, which the Congress government dissolved soon after taking office in 2023.
