Vijayawada-Guntur to be the new Hyderabad-Secunderabad?

Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs M.Venkaiah Naidu said that they would develop Vijayawada-Guntur on the lines of Hyderabad-Secunderabad.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Thursday, he said that they are also considering the introduction of metro rail in Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri. "Lot of money is needed for developing Vijayawada and Guntur as twin cities. Steps should be taken to strengthen these two cities financially.‘Greater Vijayawada’ was not possible due to the local politics. The proposal has first to be ratified by the council. If the city is converted as ‘Greater’, the income of the corporation will also increase and also the available land," he said.

If Vijayawada-Guntur have to be developed as twin cities, large economic package is needed, he added.

Greater Vijayawada Municipal Corporation can be formed by merging the cities of Vijayawada and Guntur. Then senior IAS officers can be appointed here.

About 25 percent of people in the city of Vijayawada are living in hill area. In these situations, huge funds can be expected to the city if the special package is given for the city on the lines of North Eastern states, he pointed out.

"Construction of houses was stopped in Vijayawada due to the scarcity of land in the city. State government has to take special interest to complete the construction of the houses. Further, it has to provide the basic facilities to the people in the city if the city has to be developed," he said.

- Sakshipost