Decorative plants set up for F1H2O withering away

Vijayawada: Beautiful plants planted under the Durga temple flyover bridge 10-15 days ago at Kummaripalem are withering away due to poor execution of plantation works and lack of proper maintenance. 

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation had planted several hundreds of ornamental plants under the flyover bridge as part of beautification project. The works were executed in less than two weeks keeping in view the F1H2O boat racing held from November 16 to 18.

Since the main event took place at Punnami ghat, the district administration gave priority for beautification of the stretch along the highway in Kummaripalem and Bhavanipuram. In order to impress the visitors came to the city from other parts of India and other countries, the district administration has planned to decorate the flyover bridge with plantations and lighting.

As part of it, several hundreds of beautiful plants were planted in a hurried manner in just 10 days’ time. Later, proper care was not taken to save these plantations. Consequently, nearly 20 per cent of the plants either withered or dried up.

The Andhra Pradesh Urban Greening and Beautification department has suggested Euginia plants, which grows up to six feet more than 400 plants were planted under the flyover bridge to enhance the greenery and beauty as well as to check pollution.

Euginia plants have dark green leaves and emit more oxygen levels compared to other plants, it is said. So, the VMC has arranged the plants and works awarded to a private contractor.

Due to speedy execution of works keeping in view of the F1H2O boat racing, scores of plants could not survive. VMC Assistant Director of Horticulture J Jyothy said these plants were brought from Kadiam nurseries in East Godavari and would take some more time to survive. She said efforts were on to rejuvenate and save the plants.

She said the Euginia plants would give more oxygen compared to other plants and could be trimmed and maintained easily. She said drip irrigation facility has been arranged for watering the plants. The VMC has spent Rs 1.50 crore for greenery, which is part of the park constructed at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore for the recreation of children.

CPM State secretariat member Chigurupati Babu Rao alleged that the State government was giving priority for beautification instead of completing the Durga temple flyover construction works. He said the flyover works were started before Krishna Pushkaralu in 2016 and yet to be completed. He alleged that the TDP government was wasting a lot of public money. 

YSRCP city working president Malladi Vishnu pointed out that the State government was giving priority to the temporary works and failed to develop infrastructure facilities in the city. He said plants were planted only to get publicity.