Villages in Kambadur to be developed as growth centres

- Centre sanctions Rs 127 crore for upgradation of 41 villages in 12 panchayats in Kambadur mandal
- Villages to be developed as model ones by creating city like infrastructure, education and health while retaining the rural environment and culture, says MDO
- The main concept of Rurban Mission is to prevent migration to cities and towns and create all urban amenities in these model villages while retaining the basic rural characteristics, explains Kalyandurg RDO

Kambadur (Anantapur): Kambadur in Kalyandurg Assembly constituency in Anantapur district is a remote sleepy mandal. The most backward mandal in the district is destined to emerge as a model one within three years from now. All infrastructure facilities identical to cities like digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and education will be provided in villages of these mandal. The idea is that the soul of a village is retained while amenities of cities are provided. These model villages are the ones where the neighbouring rural people may visit for healthcare, education or attending to other needs like repairing or recharging mobiles. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 127 crore for up-gradation of 41 villages in 12 panchayats in Kambadur mandal.

The Narendra Modi government is planning to development 300 such model villages in the country, 11 in Andhra Pradesh and 4 such model villages in Rayalaseema including Kambadur in Anantapur, Allur in Kurnool, Rajampet rural mandal in Kadapa and Kuppam in Chittoor district. A detailed project report is being submitted to the Centre soon by the district administration. The picture of a model village will be reflected in the development of underground drainage, cement roads in village lanes, approach roads, link roads, main roads and street lighting illuminating the entire village. Rs 60 crore for underground drainage: Rs 11 crore for link roads; Rs 13 crore for Swachh Bharat in panchayats; Rs 11.6 crore for drinking water and Rs 7.5 crore for Anganwadi buildings have been earmarked for these model villages. All 41 villages in 12 panchayats will be treated as a single village unit. The villages will be developed in 3 years and the scheduled time for completion of the village reconstruction is the end of 2018-19.

Kambadur Mandal Development Officer (MDO) Siva Reddy told The Hans India that these villages will be developed as growth centres by creating city like infrastructure, education and health while retaining the rural environment and culture. The National Rurban Mission aims to provide better quality of life and employment in villages. The MDO stated that all infrastructure identical cities like digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and education will be provided.

Kalyandurg Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Rama Rao interacting with The Hans India said that the main concept is to prevent migration to cities and towns and create all urban amenities and infrastructure in these model villages while retaining the basic rural characteristics. Skills of all rural trades would be upgraded. Engineers, doctors and technocrats would be wooed to work in the model villages. This concept would stop migration to cities and develop urban oriented satellite economies within the district. Protected piped water, sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, health infrastructure, better education facilities and urban transport including battery operated mini-buses and digital literacy in every family will be promoted.

Ravi P Benjamin