Vijayawada becoming a GVMC?

There is opposition from the from the sarpanches of villages surrounding Vijayawada. However, the authorities of the Vijayawad Municipal Corporation (VMC) are gearing up to make the city Greater Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The VMC move which brushes aside the minor resistance to the move intends to model Vijayawada upon the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. 

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has recently submitted proposals worth Rs 12,000 crore to the Centre for the release of funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for taking up various development works. The proposals would take care of the needs of underground drainage, drinking water, sanitation, etc. in places that would merge with the proposed Greater Vijayawada, says municipal commissioner G Ravibabu. The proposals were in addition to the Rs 7300 crore sought under City Development Plan when the JNNURM was launched. 

The  commissioner said  while talks were going on with the farmers of Nunna on the outskirts to make them agree to have the scientific landfill there, a letter also had been written to Guntur district collector to provide open spaces at Mangalagiri and Tadepalli for the purpose. Ravibabu said five lakh saplings would be planted during the monsoon for expanding the city's green cover. 

He said his main dream project is to set up a state-of-the-art auditorium on the lines of Thmmalapalli Kalakshetramp but admitted that the land was a major constraint. He said, at present, emphasis is being laid on restoration of roads where underground drainage works have been completed.