TIDCO houses completed in 16 layouts, says GVMC Commissioner

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg has said that the construction of TIDCO houses has been undertaken in 35 layouts within the limits of the civic body and of these, houses in 15 layouts were handed over to beneficiaries a year ago.

He stated that the construction has been completed in 16 layouts and houses in five layouts are yet to be completed. He informed that bank loan processes for around 6,000 beneficiaries are yet to be completed, and that in some cases, beneficiaries had passed away or expressed unwillingness to accept the houses.

The Commissioner was speaking during a GVMC coordination meeting held at the VMRDA Office, under the chairmanship of Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, on Tuesday to discuss various development works and related issues being undertaken within the GVMC limits.

Mr. Garg said that discussions would be held constituency-wise with the MLAs to allot the remaining houses to other eligible beneficiaries.

The MLAs pointed out that many beneficiaries, who had paid amounts, were yet to be allotted TIDCO houses. The GVMC Commissioner assured that all houses would be allotted at the earliest.

He was also requested to submit a comprehensive report on TIDCO housing, as some houses allotted to beneficiaries could not be occupied, and some had been encroached upon. It was suggested that a special layout-wise survey be conducted and a detailed report prepared to initiate the necessary action.

Anna Canteens

Mr. Garg stated that 25 Anna Canteens are being operated in the city and, as per government directions, advisory committees are to be formed for each canteen with the local corporator as the president and six local members. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the District Collector for approval, he said.

MP M. Sribharat, Rajya Sabha Member Golla Babu Rao, MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao, P.G.V.R. Naidu, Vamsikrishna Yadav, Panchakarla Ramesh Babu, Palla Srinivasa Rao, P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, Konathala Ramakrishna, and other senior officials were present.

Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao urged the Municipal Commissioner to expedite the construction of a closed garbage transfer station (GTS) at the open dumping yard in the Gajuwaka area to prevent foul smell.

The Anakapalli MLA suggested desilting of drains in the constituency, establishment of a new GTS near Shankaram village, demolition of the existing GVMC zonal office at Anakapalli and construction of a new one with a commercial complex.

MP M. Sribharat discussed issues related to the levy of property tax and vacant land tax. He suggested identifying commercial activities being run in residential areas and levying commercial property tax accordingly.

The MLAs said that people were facing difficulties due to delays in the issuance of TDRs and urged that arrangements be made for speedy issuance.

Several MLAs suggested undertaking road widening works from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli to ease traffic congestion.