Amaravati, Vizag, Tirupati to be made mega cities

Tirupati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday directed TTD administration to involve in a big way in the development of the pilgrim city.

Speaking to the media after the inspection of select localities here on Friday before his departure from here after a two-day visit, Naidu reiterated his government’s determination to develop Amaravati, Vizag and Tirupati as mega cities in the State and felt that along with government administration TTD involvement is imminent to realise the objective.

He said he is keen on developing Tirupati also as an industrial hub as well as an educational and health centre in the State and particularly mentioned about development of SVIMS and SVRR government hospital in the city and also about the enormous scope for service sector improvement in tune with the rapid growth of the famous pilgrim centre.

Stating that there is no dearth of funds for infrastructure development, the Chief Minister wanted the municipal corporation authorities to pull up their socks for improving basic facilities like drinking water, sanitation and upkeep in the city and also ensure its beautification.

While explaining the supervisory measures like installing CCTVs and other ITES to monitor civic facilities like upkeep, drainage maintenance and also street lighting, Naidu bluntly said that the officials showing laxity will face the music.

Naidu was accompanied by local MLA M Suguna, TTD Chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy, officials and TDP leaders inspected Scavenger Colony, Korlagunta and Rajiv Nagar areas. On finding a stagnated drain, the Chief Minister instructed the municipal authorities to set it right.

At Scavenger Colony, the Chief Minister interacted with the residents including an old woman, a housewife and others about the disbursement of pensions in time, supply of essentials etc. He said that the government is ready to construct a multi-storey building replacing the existing houses provided if they are willing and form as society.

At Rajiv Nagar, he said government sanctioned 10,000 houses to the poor in the city and is ready to allocate more if required. Naidu took some time off while going to airport to chat with the children of Spring Dale Public School on Karakambadi Road and readily obliged them when they sought his autograph.

Earlier, at Alipiri, Naidu cut a huge cake arranged by TDP leader Sudharani to mark the government waiving of the loans of SHG women groups. Naidu said the surprise inspection was to get a feedback from the people on the implementation of the welfare schemes, performance of authorities and also his partymen.

However, political observers feel that Naidu held the surprise inspection lasting about 90 minutes, with an eye on the impending corporation election.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s visit to the localities saw the police stopping the traffic at the busy Alipiri Road and also later at the Leelamahal Junction causing lot of inconvenience to students going to schools and colleges, pilgrims to Tirumala and also employees to offices.