The Telangana government Saturday decided to build the world's largest tower and other skyscrapers at 40 places around Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of Hyderabad.

 

 

 A meeting presided over by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao decided to build the world's tallest tower in Sanjeevaiah Park abutting the picturesque lake.

 

 At the five-hour long review meeting, the chief minister decided to construct skyscrapers in the first phase on 100 acres at 40 places around the lake. Rao said there would be no hurdles in the projects as the lands at all the places are owned by the government.

 

 Allaying the apprehension of the environmentalists, he said the projects will be undertaken within the environmental norms prescribed by the Supreme Court. The sewage from the towers will not be released into the lake.

 

 The world's tallest tower at present is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The 828 metres high tower has 163 floors.

 

 KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, directed officials to launch on war footing the works for cleaning and beautification of Hussain Sagar. He announced Rs.100 crore for diverting the sewerage lines joining the lake, said a statement from the chief minister's office.

 

 Stating that immersion of Ganesh idols is polluting the lake, KCR said a lake will be created at Indira Park near Hussain Sagar to allow annual immersion of idols.

 

 Last week, the city minister mooted the idea of building a necklace of skyscrapers around the lake to turn Hyderabad into a city like Kuala Lumpur. He plans to develop 60- to 100-storeyed skyscrapers to house government office, business establishments, entertainment centres and other public and private institutions.

 

 The government will consider proposals like building the towers and giving them on lease or entrusting the construction to private developers.