Date:02/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/02/stories/2005010203820500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Ponnala calls for preserving cultural element in structures

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 1. Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Minister for Major Irrigation, has urged builders to preserve and promote cultural architecture of the State while going in for modern structural designs. The Government will be a partner in development with builders, he said.Inaugurating the "Property Expo 2005" at the Institution of Engineers here on Saturday, he said the State was in for growth and everyone was looking at Hyderabad.

The irrigation projects being implemented would lead to utilisation of 46 lakh tonnes of steel and cement each year. "This will create lot of employment opportunities and propel the economy," the Minister said.

He asked the builders to complete the projects in time and assured them that the Government wouldn't mind adjusting the price if there was an escalation beyond a certain level.

The three-day property expo is being organised by NRS Publications. A number of realtors and banks are taking part in the exhibition offering loans, plots, resorts and row houses.

K. Ravinder Reddy, president, A.P. Builders Association, in his keynote address, urged the State Government to provide more facilities and incentives to the construction industry as more than 200 industries were depended on it directly or indirectly. The Centre had given a lot of incentives and today the building industry was looking up. The international airport coming up near the city would give a further boost to the State Capital, Mr. Reddy said.

He asked the government to amend the building rules in Cybrabad area.

C. Shekar Reddy, president, Builders' Forum, also spoke. Earlier, M.A. Nazeer, convenor, Property Expo, welcomed the gathering.