*Shad Nagar, September 10, 2024*: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has appealed to the 16th Finance Commission for an allocation of ₹10,500 crore to boost infrastructure development and improve flood water management in Hyderabad. The request was made by Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi during a meeting held at Praja Bhavan on Monday.Addressing the commission, Mayor Vijayalakshmi emphasized Hyderabad’s rapid growth and the need for infrastructure to match its expanding population, which now stands at 1.40 crore. She pointed out that GHMC has invested ₹18,000 crore in the past decade on civil services and infrastructure, with ₹6,000 crore of that being borrowed. She urged the Finance Commission to offer substantial financial support for critical development projects, citing the inadequacy of funds allocated by the 15th Finance Commission, which were limited to waste management and NCAP programs.The mayor outlined specific areas requiring financial assistance:- **₹7,500 crore** for developing roads to international standards, maintaining and improving flood water drainage systems to reduce pollution and traffic congestion.- **₹1,500 crore** for advanced waste management initiatives like bio-remediation and bio-mining.- **₹200 crore** for the conservation and restoration of historical buildings.- **₹800 crore** for pond conservation and flood water management.- **₹250 crore** for mapping properties and utilities in the city through the Geographical Information System (GIS).- **₹250 crore** for artificial intelligence-based traffic management, mobile app development, and disaster management.Additionally, Mayor Vijayalakshmi requested permission for GHMC to independently secure loans for financing key projects. She urged the Finance Commission to take a positive decision in favor of Hyderabad’s development, ensuring the city’s infrastructure can meet the demands of its growing population.