Kambadur on the cusp of becoming model mandal

Kambadur (Anantapur): Kambadur is a remote mandal in the Kalyandurgam Assembly constituency here with a population of just 50,708 population. Presently among the most backward areas in the district, Kambadur is now on the cusp of development that would make it a ‘model mandal’ in about three years, along with a cluster of well-developed villages reflecting balanced development of the highest order.

The Narendra Modi government is planning to develop 300 such model mandals in the country, including 11 in Andhra Pradesh. Four of them will be in Rayalaseema ---apart from Kambadur, Allur in Kurnool, Rajampeta rural mandal in Kadapa and Kuppam in Chittoor district will also be developed. A detailed project report is being submitted to the Centre soon by the district administration.

Solid infrastructure identical to that in cities, including digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and education, will be provided in the model mandals. The idea is that the soul of a village should be retained, while providing amenities seen in cities.

These model mandals will also double up as places where populace from the neighbouring rural areas may visit for healthcare, education or to meet other needs like repairing or recharging mobiles.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs.127 crore for upgrading 41villages in 12 panchayaths of Kambadur mandal. The picture of a model village will be reflected in the development of underground drainage, cement roads in village lanes, approach roads, link roads, main roads and street lighting for the entire village.

Towards this end, a sum of Rs.60 crore for underground drainage, Rs.11 crore for link roads, Rs.13 crore for Swachh Bharath in panchayaths, Rs.11.6 crore for drinking water and Rs.7.5 crore for Anganwadi buildings have been earmarked for the model village.

All 41 villages in 12 panchayaths will be treated as a single village unit. The village unit is to be developed in three years and the scheduled time for completion of the village reconstruction is the end of 2018-19 financial year.

Kambadur mandal development officer Siva Reddy told ‘The Hans India’ that the villages would be developed as growth centers for the area by creating city-like infrastructure, from education and health, while retaining the rural environment and the rustic rural culture.

The National Rurban Mission aims to provide better quality of life and employment in villages. All infrastructure identical to that in cities like digital and physical connectivity as well as quality healthcare and education would be provided.

Kalyandurg Revenue Divisional Officer Rama Rao, interacting with ‘The Hans India’, said that the main concept was to arrest migration to cities and towns and create all urban amenities and infrastructure in the model village itself, while retaining basic rural characteristics. Skills of all rural trades would be upgraded.

Engineers, doctors and technocrats would be wooed to work in the model villages so that people from neighbouring villages could come to the developed village to enjoy all the city amenities and shop in the village. This concept would arrest migration to cities and develop urban-oriented satellite economies within the district.

Protected piped water, sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, health infrastructure, better education facilities, urban transport, including battery operated mini-buses and digital literacy aids for every family, will be promoted.

By Ravi P Benjamin