Venkaiah proposes special body to develop Vizag as 'Smart City'

Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu has suggested creation of a separate entity for integrated development of Visakhapatnam with representation from the central government for promoting ‘Smart City’ features.

Venkaiah made the suggestion during his discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. He also spoke to Finance Minister Arun Jaitely over phone and urged him to direct the concerned for speedy settlement of insurance claims and rescheduling of bank loans of all the cyclone affected. Jaitely assured Venkaiah Naidu that needful would be done.

Expressing concern over soil erosion of beaches of Visakhapatnam, Venkaiah Naidu said that the issue would be taken up with the union environment ministry for taking long term measures. He directed the municipal authority to take necessary awareness generation measures for preventing littering of beaches as part of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission.’

It may be mentioned that Venkaiah Naidu has adopted ‘ChepalaUppada’ village of Visakhapatnam district for rehabilitation and development in the aftermath of recent cyclone ‘Hudhud’ that ravaged north coastal districts of the state. This fishermen village and the surrounding hamlets were severely affected by the cyclone. Naidu has decided to donate his one month salary besides a contribution of Rs 25 lakh from MPLADS funds for rebuilding of ‘ChepalaUppada’ village and adjoining hamlets. Resources would also be mobilized from other sources like Trusts and NGOs in this regard. Nellore based ‘SwarnaBharati Trust’ offered Rs 10 lakh for rehabilitation of this village.

Over the last two days, Venkaiah Naidu has extensively toured the cyclone affected areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh for an assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts. He convened a meeting of representatives of over 20 central government departments and agencies at Visakhapatnam and reviewed the measures being taken for restoration of different kinds of services to the public. He also reviewed the progress on the rehabilitation front with Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.