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VMC decision on road widening draws flak
Traders oppose the decision in unison as they will lose their livelihood
Vijayawada: The residents and traders staged protests against the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation for its decision on widening of railway station road (Jawaharlal Nehru road) from west railway booking office to K Market at One Town. The VMC has decided to widen the existing 33 feet road to 80 feet road to ease the traffic problem.
Keeping in view the Pushkaraalu in August, the VMC has decided to widen the road and demolish structures along the road. But, the local residents and traders are opposing the decision and asking the VMC to widen the road to 50 to 60 feet only since it’s a one way road. The residents are arguing that they would be left without homes if the road is widened to 80 feet. Most of these houses and shops are very small and built during the last 70 years. VMC Commissioner G Veerapandiyan inspected the road on Monday and held discussions with the local residents. The residents are saying that they are ready to cooperate with the civic body if the road is widened to 60 feet.
K Ramana, a trader on railway station road, said many families would suffer if the buildings are demolished to widen the road up to 80 feet. He said 60 feet road will be sufficient to ease the traffic since it is one way road. He said the vehicles pass only one way from railway station to market junction.
K Yusuf, a trader, expressed apprehension that 100- year-old church and 60- -year- old mosque will be damaged if the road is widened to 80 feet. He said that the VMC officials should also think about the sentiments of the people. A Kumar, a trader. said hundreds of workers would lose livelihood if the shops are demolished.
Vijayawada west assembly constituency MLA Jaleel Khan has proposed for widening the road. But, YSRCP corporator Shaik Asif, who represents 40th division, is objecting the widening of the road.
Shaik Asif said that the building owners and traders are coming forward to give 10 to 15 feet land voluntarily to the VMC for widening of the road. He said it is wrong to ask the people to give 30 feet land as many houses will disappear if the road is widened to 80 feet. He recalled the sky rocketing land prices in the city and the displaced families cannot buy the houses if they lose them due to road widening. But, the VMC is continuing its work of demarcation and discussions are going between the residents and VMC officials to find an amicable solution.
