Latest news with #AMRUT
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pipeline work undermines Vaigai Road beautification project
Madurai: A three-kilometre pedestrian stretch along the Vaigai South Bank Road, from Kuruvikaran Salai to Viraganur, developed under the Smart City Mission, has been dug up for pipeline work under the AMRUT Mullaperiyar drinking water scheme, defeating the original purpose of the beautification project. The Rs 84-crore riverfront initiative aimed to create a scenic, walkable public space. However, with pipelines being laid on the pavement instead of the road, residents and councillors say the project's core objective has been compromised. Madurai MP Su Venkatesan criticised the decision, saying, "This road adds to the city's charm as it offers pedestrians a riverside walking space. In other major roads, pipelines were laid on the carriageway. Why make an exception here just because VIPs use it?" Corporation officials defended the move, citing the road's importance for southbound traffic and dignitary movement. "We chose the pavement to avoid traffic disruptions," an official said. But the MP said the matter would be raised again with civic authorities. Residents voiced similar concerns. "This was one of the last remaining walkable stretches in the city," said M Pandiyan of Kamarajar Salai. "Now it's narrower and poorly lit, especially unsafe after dark." Traffic activist T Nageshwaran questioned the logic of the alignment. "The opposite side of the road has more space and is away from the riverbank. That would've been a better choice." A senior corporation official admitted that rerouting the pipeline would now be difficult and costly. "Half the stretch is done. In some sections, we have laid it on the road, not the pavement. But in light of the concerns, alternatives are being explored," the official said. Worker shortage delays AMRUT pipeline work, say minister, MLA Madurai: The slow pace of the AMRUT drinking water pipeline project in Madurai has drawn criticism from Minister P Moorthy and Madurai South MLA M Boominathan, who raised the issue during the DISHA meeting on Wednesday. They blamed the delay on a shortage of workers deployed by the contractor handling Package 5 of the project. "The contractor is underperforming. The corporation must act," said Moorthy, citing complaints from Madurai South and West. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan said the contractor had already been penalised. "We recently held a meeting with them to speed up the work," she said. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore highlighted coordination lapses, noting that roads in areas like Thirunagar were relaid before underground work was completed. "They'll be dug up again within a year. This points to serious mismanagement," he said. On overhead tank (OHT) construction, Vijayan said that only four of the planned 38 tanks had undergone water-holding tests, but most are expected to be ready by month-end. MLA Boominathan added that progress stalled after the Chithirai festival and has not recovered. "Residents complain daily about either unrepaired roads or pipeline work dragging on," he said.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Narayana vows safe drinking water across all civic bodies
Vijayawada: Municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana said the state government is determined to provide safe drinking water to households across all municipalities. Addressing the media after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at CM camp office on Saturday, the minister stated that tenders have been invited for laying drinking water pipelines to cover 85 per cent of households, with support from the AMRUT scheme. He said Rs 5,350 crore, sanctioned by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, will be used for completing both drinking water and drainage projects. Blaming the previous YSRCP government for lapses in securing Central funds due to failure in releasing the state's share, Narayana stressed the new government's commitment to infrastructure development. On the solid waste issue, the minister said Andhra Pradesh generates 8,000 tonnes of waste daily. While waste-to-energy plants are already operational in Guntur and Visakhapatnam, six new plants are planned in Rajahmundry, Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Vijayawada, and Tirupati. Once operational, they can convert up to 7,500 tonnes of garbage into power. An allocation of Rs 225 crore has been made for new garbage clearing equipment. He also said the government is working to distribute TIDCO houses by clearing Rs 140 crore in pending bank loans for the beneficiaries.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Take measures to prevent spread of contagious diseases: CM
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials of the Municipal Administration Department to prioritise cleanliness in municipalities and municipal corporations and to take preventive measures against the spread of infectious diseases. On Saturday, the Chief Minister conducted a review meeting on the department at the CM camp office. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officials to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases. He said in some areas, poultry waste is making the environment unhygienic. 'Poultry waste should not be dumped indiscriminately. Implement a regulated system for its disposal. Bring in a dedicated poultry waste management policy. If needed, explore linking it with the circular economy,' Naidu said. Referring to DWCRA groups, the Chief Minister said women's development was being achieved through the groups. 'We must work to increase the demand for their products and ensure high quality.' He asked the officials to provide continuous skill development training to DWCRA women. Government efforts should lead to higher income and improved living standards for DWCRA women. MEPMA officials must keep this objective in mind. Facilitate marketing of their products through e-commerce platforms and other online channels. The Chief Minister also asked the officials to take measures to save electricity. He stressed the need to maintain high standards of quality in Anna Canteens. 'Even during financial difficulties, we are continuing this programme. Accept contributions from anyone who comes forward to donate,' the CM directed. The Chief Minister directed the officials to review Central govt funds and Ensure there are no delays in projects under AMRUT, AMRUT-2, AIIB and UIDF,' Naidu emphasised. Municipal Administration Minister Narayana and senior officials from the Municipal and Finance Departments participated in the review.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
AP CM orders swift action on outsourcing staff issues, stresses urban hygiene
Vijayawada:Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday directed officials of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department to immediately resolve issues related to outsourcing employees. He sought complete details after reports emerged that several areas in Visakhapatnam were affected by water supply disruptions due to a strike by outsourcing staff. Officials informed the Chief Minister that the issue in Visakhapatnam had been resolved with the active involvement of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) officials. Naidu instructed MA&UD Minister P Narayana to convene a cabinet sub-committee meeting to focus on resolving the matter at the earliest. He emphasised the importance of ensuring uninterrupted services, especially during a season when the spread of infectious diseases is more likely. The chief minister advised prioritising cleanliness in urban areas and taking immediate preventive measures against infectious diseases. He highlighted the need to combat the mosquito menace and ensure the availability of safe drinking water. He directed officials to identify vulnerable areas where water contamination could occur and take action to prevent any outbreaks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Profit Trick - Read More vividtrendlab Click Here Undo Naidu also stressed the need to improve air quality in urban areas. He asked officials to ensure that roads are cleaned daily using mechanized sweeping machines to curb dust pollution. He emphasized proper disposal of poultry waste and maintaining high standards of hygiene at Anna Canteens. He urged urban local bodies to become self-reliant in generating power, including for streetlighting. Additionally, Naidu instructed officials to secure maximum funds under various centrally-sponsored schemes in the municipal sector. He criticised the previous government for failing to provide the state's share in many schemes, which led to the loss of central funds. He called for the revival of all centrally sponsored schemes and the expedited implementation of projects funded by Rs 5,800 crore from the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) and Rs 3,000 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission. He stressed there should be no delays in executing projects under AMRUT, AMRUT 2.0, AIIB, and the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF).
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. CM tells officials to mobilise maximum Central funds for MA&UD Department
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the officials of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Department to mobilise as much funding as possible from the Centre while duly sorting out issues related to utilisation certificates and clearing of pending bills. He ordered that works taken up under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT), AMRUT-2 and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) schemes should be expedited. Chairing a review meeting on MA&UD Department on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said works for which the AIIB and the Central government sanctioned funds of ₹8,800 crore (₹5,800 crore and ₹3,000 crore respectively) between 2014 and 2019 should also be focused upon. Priority should be given to cleanliness in Municipal Corporations and Municipalities and measures should be taken to check the spread of infectious diseases during the monsoon season, he said. Mr. Naidu asked the officials to initiate measures to curb mosquito breeding and to ensure that the drainage systems function properly, and prevent the contamination of drinking water. Pointing out that poultry waste was posing a health hazard, he wanted a dedicated poultry waste management policy to be formulated soon. The Chief Minister wanted steps to be taken to increase the demand for products made by the DWCRA groups to increase their incomes. The due focus should be laid on improving their skills, and making the most of e-commerce platforms and other online channels that would open up new markets for their products, he said. Further, Mr. Naidu exhorted the Urban Local Bodies to generate the electricity required for streetlighting. The government would soon have detailed discussions on the urban housing and take necessary steps to improve the situation, he said. He asked the officials to speed up the setting up sewage treatment plants in municipalities. Addressing the media later, MA&UD Minister P. Narayana said the government was giving a top priority to creation of social infrastructure such as clean drinking water, streetlighting in municipalities, roads, parks and sanitation facilities. Steps were being taken to provide 100% protected drinking water to all municipal corporations and municipalities and green signal has been obtained for commencing works under AMRUT scheme. Waste-to-energy plants The Minister said 8,000 tonnes of solid waste was being generated daily and efforts were underway to generate electricity from it. A decision was taken between 2014 and 2019 to set up 10 waste-to-energy plants. At present, only two such plants are in operation in Guntur and Visakhapatnam. Six more such plants would be set up in Rajahmundry, Nellore, Kadapa, Kurnool, Vijayawada and Tirupati soon. These plants would convert 7,500 tonnes of waste into electricity daily and the rest 500 tonnes would be safely disposed of. The clearing of legacy waste of 85 lakh tonnes would be completed by October 2, he said. TIDCO Houses Mr. Narayana said the construction of five lakh TIDCO houses began between 2014 and 2019, but the previous YSRCP government had reduced the number to 2.60 lakh. Since loans were raised before the allocation of houses was done to the beneficiaries, they fell into the non-payment category, which forced the current government to shell out ₹140 crore to revive them, he added.
