AP Govt plans to constitute Chittoor Urban Development Authority

Tirupati: The State government has been contemplating with the idea of forming Chittoor Urban Development Authority and it has decided in principle to set up CUDA. Government has been weighing various options to fix the jurisdiction for the new entity and  a notification in this regard may be issued soon.

There was a resentment among the people of Chittoor that the city was being neglected for long. Though it is district headquarters, several important activities were being held in Tirupati only. Heads of various departments from State and Centre also visit the pilgrim city and conduct review meetings.  

The District Collector has to visit Tirupati at least 15-20 days in a month due to various meetings, events or VVIP visits. Several district level review meetings are also being held in  Tirupati only which has been fast developing as education, health and industrial hub. On the other hand, Chittoor is not having a super speciality hospital in the government sector.

Reaching Tirupati from Chittoor becomes an arduous task with three railway level crossings in between. Realising the distress among people over the preferential treatment to Tirupati, the government has focussed its attention on solving these problems and has decided to develop the city on all fronts.

Road over bridges were being built at the three level crossings on fast track basis with the District Collector monitoring the progress at regular intervals. National highway works connecting the district headquarters were going on at a rapid speed which will facilitate the people to have hassle free journeys to Chennai and Bengaluru. By entering an agreement with Apollo hospitals to take up the maintenance of district hospital, advance medical services are extended to the people.

State government has decided to establish Chittoor Urban Development Authority which will have about 40-50 km radius in its jurisdiction and can take up various development initiatives. It was learnt that the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to Tirupati on December 20, expressed his intention to the Collector and asked to explore the possibilities and frame the guidelines.

The Municipal Corporation Commissioner of Chittoor C Obulesu told The Hans India that they have been studying various aspects to form the new entity. Before finalising the jurisdiction all factors are to be taken into consideration and will present the proposals to the Collector.

Initially, the authorities were of the opinion that the CUDA will include Chittoor, Yadamari, Gudipala, Puthalapattu, Bangarupalyam areas. There is the possibility of including Palamaneru also in CUDA.