In a significant move to address long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner, Ketan Garg, has issued a clear directive to his town planning department. He has ordered officials to resolve all pending issues related to the crucial master plan road network in the rapidly developing Madhurawada area on a fast-track basis.
On-Ground Inspection with MLA
The urgency for action came into sharp focus during a joint inspection conducted by Commissioner Garg and Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Saturday. The duo visited multiple problematic stretches of the master plan road, including sections at Revallapalem, Chandrampalem, the Navodaya School master plan road, and the Sai Priya layout master plan road.
During the site visit, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao highlighted the critical importance of this road network for the city's expansion and connectivity. He pointed out specific hurdles, noting that Transferable Development Rights (TDR) bonds have not yet been issued for the Revallapalem Road. Furthermore, he explained that work on the road connecting the Sai Priya layout master plan road at Chandrampalem remains incomplete because a portion of the required land is owned by a private company.
Commissioner's Detailed Action Plan
In response, Commissioner Ketan Garg provided a detailed breakdown of the challenges and outlined a path forward. Regarding the Revallapalem road TDRs, he clarified that the process is complex because the road falls within the village Gramakantam area. However, he gave a firm commitment on the pending cases.
"Out of 32 TDRs, 18 have already been issued, and 14 are still pending. The remaining TDRs shall be issued within a week," assured Commissioner Garg.
For the Navodaya master plan road, the commissioner revealed a legal complication. A piece of government land, which was previously encroached upon and transferred, now finds itself on the prohibited 22A list. This status has prompted affected landowners to seek TDRs through the court, further delaying the project.
Echoing the MLA's concern, Garg confirmed that the work on the Sai Priya master plan road at Chandrampalem is stalled due to land ownership by a private entity. He instructed the town planning wing to engage proactively to find a solution.
A Push for Swift Resolution
The commissioner's visit and subsequent orders underscore a renewed administrative push to unblock these vital infrastructure projects. The master plan roads are essential for decongesting existing traffic and supporting the planned urban growth in Madhurawada and its surrounding localities.
By setting a one-week deadline for the pending TDRs and demanding fast-track resolution for the other land-related issues, the GVMC administration aims to accelerate the completion of these roads. The success of this drive will depend on effective coordination between the town planning officials, private landowners, and the legal framework governing land acquisition and TDRs in Visakhapatnam.
