In a significant move to streamline governance and address public concerns, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) convened a high-level coordination meeting with elected representatives on Tuesday. The gathering, held at the VMRDA office, brought together MPs and MLAs from within the corporation's jurisdiction to deliberate on a wide array of developmental works and pressing civic issues.
Key Attendees and Meeting Agenda
The meeting was chaired by Mayor P Srinivasa Rao and saw the participation of prominent leaders. Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat and Rajya Sabha MP Golla Baburao were present alongside MLAs Ganta Srinivasa Rao, P GVR Naidu, Vamsikrishna Yadav, Panchakarla Ramesh Babu, Palla Srinivasa Rao, P Vishnu Kumar Raju, and Konathala Ramakrishna. GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and other senior officials also attended the session.
The agenda was comprehensive, focusing on critical areas such as the recently implemented 10-zone system, progress on TIDCO housing projects, persistent traffic problems, sanitation management, property tax enforcement, and overall civic infrastructure.
Major Reorganization and Development Updates
Mayor P Srinivasa Rao highlighted a major administrative overhaul, stating that GVMC was reorganized into 10 zones effective from January 1 this year. This restructuring aims to enhance service delivery and bring governance closer to the citizens of Visakhapatnam.
Commissioner Ketan Garg provided detailed updates through a presentation. A key focus was the TIDCO housing initiative. He reported that houses are being constructed across 35 different layouts. Of these, beneficiaries have already received homes in 15 layouts, construction is complete in 16 layouts, and work is still pending in 5 layouts.
Addressing Civic Concerns and Future Plans
The discussions extended to several other vital areas for urban improvement:
- Drain Maintenance: Plans were discussed for the upkeep of major drains to prevent waterlogging and public inconvenience.
- Waste Management: To combat foul odors, the construction of closed garbage transfer stations is planned, moving away from open dumping yards.
- Infrastructure Development: The development of zonal offices in Anakapalli, which will include commercial complexes, was on the table. Talks also covered road widening projects and the creation of designated vending zones.
- Sanitation Workforce: Ensuring proper supervision of sanitation workers to guarantee they perform only their assigned duties was emphasized.
- Education and Administration: The need for repairs and maintenance of GVMC schools was highlighted. Internal transfers of work inspectors were also discussed to improve administrative efficiency.
Furthermore, the meeting touched upon stricter enforcement of property tax regulations, the identification of unauthorized commercial activities in residential areas, and spreading public awareness about central welfare schemes like the PM Suryaghar initiative for solar power.
This coordinated effort between the municipal corporation and elected representatives underscores a committed approach to tackling Visakhapatnam's urban challenges and accelerating its development trajectory.
