The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has sent the concept plan of the 134 crore Hyderabad Habitat Centre for approval to the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department.
The authority decided to build a habitat center similar to the India habitat center in New Delhi. The center spread across an area of 12.5 acres at Izzatnagar, close to Hi-Tech City railway station can be used for promotion of heritage, art and culture. This exclusive and permanent facility will be the perfect place to host events related to heritage, arts and culture. Being located close to Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Ltd. (HITEX), the HHC project would be a complementary facility.
The projects has already been approved by the Former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in October, 2013 when he was the board chairman of HMDA. Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Ltd is also working as an project advisor to the authority in the development of the concept till commercial operations begin.
The core facilities at habitat center would include
- Visual art gallery and sculpture courts
- Library and resource centre
- A learning centre for organizing workshops, training, studio works etc
The proposed facility of building an Artiplex will be setup to host events rounds the year with four to five theaters. Some more proposed facilities include an open air theatre, landscaped gardens, plazas, office spaces, board rooms, conference halls, banquet halls and member facilities like guest accommodation, food courts, club house and indoor sports.
“The HMDA has engaged well-known architect Hafeez Contractor to prepare the drawings for the project, which will be ready soon,” HMDA metropolitan commissioner Neerabh Kumar told TOI. The project would be developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and the HMDA would form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the development and operation of the centre.
“The HMDA will give about Rs.30 crore to the project developer. Major investments of about Rs.90 crore will be mobilized from institutional members (select PSUs/ MNCs/ reputed NGOs) by offering the built-up office space in proportion to their contribution. Apart from the institutional membership (1st level), corporate (2nd level) and individual (3rd level) memberships would also be offered as approved by the governing council,” a senior officer of PPP cell of HMDA said.