CM directs municipal authorities to take up road works

Hyderabad, Aug 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy directed the municipal officials to take up road works in municipalities by allocating funds at least to the tune of proposed World Bank grants.

He was reviewing the proposed AP Urban Reforms and Municipal Services Project (APURMSP) supported by the World Bank with Minister K Ranga Rao and senior officials of the Municipal Administration (MA) and Urban Development (UD) departments here yesterday. The World Bank had allotted Rs 600 crore for the project.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to give priority to drinking water supply, under ground drainage, storm drains and sanitation in the municipal areas.

According to officials, under revised proposal of the APURMS Project, the project cost now had been revised to Rs 2,263 crore from Rs 1,300 in 2004-05.

The project which was originally proposed to be covered in 85 municipalities was now proposed to be covered in un-covered municipalities also as per the revised project, they added.

As per the original proposal, 845 works were sanctioned Rs 220.90 crore covering all towns found eligible for loans and 85 towns were selected under this.

The officials said 714 works were grounded costing Rs 195.51 crore, 699 works entered loan agreement with APUFIDC, 286 works so far completed and 428 were in progress.

Noting the slow pace of progress in works, the Chief Minister said the present IAS officers working the MA and UD department must coordinate with local officials to speed up the works and ensure its completion within the scheduled time.

The Chief Minister said the JNNURM programme had changed the scenario in the urban sector with the state receiving Rs 9,061 crore. The focus now should be on town-wise investments in infrastructure with a clear priority on provision of water supply, he said.

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