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VUDA Vice-Chairman refutes allegations on land pooling
P Basanth Kumar, a 2007 batch IAS officer, who assumed charge as Vice-Chairman of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) after seven years of service as an OSD to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, elaborated on several issues of VUDA in an exclusive interview to The Hans India.
Visakhapatnam: P Basanth Kumar, a 2007 batch IAS officer, who assumed charge as Vice-Chairman of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) after seven years of service as an OSD to the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, elaborated on several issues of VUDA in an exclusive interview to The Hans India.
The Vice-Chairman refuted the allegations against the VUDA in land pooling and layout development projects. VUDA never identify and certify the ownership of the land in any project. If the government permits for the proposals, the revenue department will look at the ownership certification. The allegations on land pooling proposals by VUDA are baseless, he clarified.
Q: What is your experience after coming out from Raj Bhavan to Praja Bhavan (VUDA)?
Yes, it is a different experience and a good opportunity to serve the local area. I will focus on the urban development projects and issues.
Q: Serious allegations against VUDA about the layout development projects in five selected villages. What is really happening?
As a part of its regular urban infrastructure development plans, VUDA has proposed to develop some layouts in five selected villages, including Dabbanda, Kommadi, Gidijala, SR Puram and Mudapaka. Some private land owners also voluntarily gave their lands. There is no issue about the private lands.
The issue was about the assignment lands purchased by some private persons. “Here, I wish to clarify that, VUDA never certify the land ownership. At present, there is no government sanction for the proposed layouts. Once the government permits, we will send the documents submitted by the owners to the revenue authorities to check and certify the owner of the land.
Assignment lands should not be sold and the sale deeds will not be registered. But those things will be looked after by the Collector and revenue authorities only. It is not job of VUDA. Not understanding the official process, some people pelting stones against VUDA. At present there is no progress in the projects.
Q: State government said that VUDA should raise funds on its own for various projects. What are the plans to raise funds for NAD flyover, TU-143 Museum and three flyovers in the city?
The revenue and expenditure of VUDA is at present almost equal. We have to look into the reality. Recently, we wrote a letter to the tourism department to allot funds to take up the TU-143 Museum. The department has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the project. For the future projects like tourism and others, we will ask the departments concerned to share the burden. For the NAD Cross Road flyover also, we will get the funds either from the Union Surface Development or Union Urban Development Authority.
Q: NAD Cross Road flyover designs again changed. What is the new budget?
NAD Flyover will be the first of its kind and estimated at a cost of Rs 150 crore. It is a Rotary Model three layer flyover. In the first layer, light motor vehicles, and heavy vehicle vehicles in second layer and the third layer will be for Metro Rail. The designs will be finalised by August 5 this year and project will be executed by end of 2018.
Q: Why there is some much delay in giving clearances and executing the projects?
Due to the several reasons, there is no job enrichment in the organisation. Now, we are focusing on the issue. A complete enrichment programme covering all employees and officers will be taken up soon.
Q: What are the new projects being proposed?
Sky Tower, another biggest project under EPC model, NDA flyover, development of VUDA Park and the TU-143 Aircraft Museum would be taken up. Works are going on at a brisk pace to complete the Aircraft Museum by August 15.
Q: What is Integrated Museum project?
It is a unique project. We have four different kinds of museums in the city, including INS Kurusura, Heritage Museum, Rajiv Smrithi Bhavan and now TU-143 Aircraft Museum. All these located in just two km radius. We are planning to develop a circuit creating some more tourist attractions and recreations covering the four museums, it will be a biggest attraction to the visitors.
Q: What happened to the multi-level car parking system in the city?
“Logistics have to be worked out. We are now decided to take up the multi-level car parking system as a commercial hub. Food courts, restaurants and some other recreation spots would be set up in order to reduce the car parking tariff. In the first phase, the project would be taken up on the Beach Road.
By VKL Gayatri
