AP Govt allocates 348 cr for Srikakulam city development

Srikakulam: The State government decided to pump Rs 348 crore funds for the development of Srikakulam city. In the wake of corporation elections and general elections, the State government is concentrating more on the city to wrest the corporation first mayor post as it is considering it as a prestigious matter.

Last time elections held for Srikakulam municipality in 2005 and term of elected body ended in 2010 later government did not conduct elections till 2015. Subsequently, the State government upgraded Srikakulam municipality as corporation in 2015.

In the wake of fulfillment of formalities after upgrading as corporation like separation and identification of new divisions and fixing of reservation category for division-wise, enumeration of category wise voters in wards, the elections were not conducted till today. In addition to it, pending court cases also one of the reasons for delay in elections.

Elections likely to be conduct for Srikakulam Corporation before the Assembly elections. In this backdrop, the government has been pumping funds for Srikakulam development. Government allotted Rs 100 crore for beautification of city like dividers, avenue plants and central lighting system.

Another Rs 100 crore allotted under the Smart City scheme for improvement of roads and parks. Rs 50 crore allotted for integrated drainage project with an aim to solve drainage problem permanently. Rs 33 crore sanctioned for widening of road leading to Palakonda in the city to ease traffic congestion. Rs 30 crore funds sanctioned for laying of road in all colonies across the city.

With an aim to provide basic amenities on outskirt areas, Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned for the corporation. Rs 15 crore has been allotted for construction of corporation new building as present building is not enough to meet all wings of the corporation.

“Total funding for all the development works is R 348 crore. We will spend it by considering all requirements of city residents,” said Corporation Commissioner R Sriramulu Naidu.