Urban AP makes do with severe shortages

Vijayawada: Urban life in AP isn’t enjoyable, with basic amenities not being provided despite huge taxes being collected.

Out of 1.5 crores urban population, 1.1 crore people s ren’t provided 135 litres per person per day of drinking water. The liquid waste generated by 68 per cent of the urban population is not being treated. As many as 51 lakh people live in urban slums.

AP has of 14 municipal corporations in 13 districts. Except for Vizainagaram and Machilipatnam, all other district headquarters are tagged municipal corporations. There are another 73 municipalities and 21 nagar panchayats. With political equations, or for other reasons like vote banks, municipal corporations and municipalities are upgraded but fail to provide basic amenities.

Most municipal corporations and municipalities have no underground drainage system, sewage treatment plants, drinking water supply, stormwater drains, proper road system with connectivity and others, along with green space. But still, without providing these basic facilities various names like smart towns, smart cities are given suffering public.

 Drinking water is the most serious problem the state. The government plans to supply water to every household through water grid, but it is in initial stages.

Urban local bodies have to supply minimum water supply levels for domestic and non-domestic needs. According to norms in cities, 135 litres per capita per day for domestic needs should be supplied and had to plan sewerage system. An average of 87 litres is provided for domestic consumption.

Out of 110 towns, only 10 meet the 135 litre norm. Compared to other places, Kadapa, Chittoor and Visakhapatnam face problems with insufficient water supply. Though this situation is slightly better in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and West Godavari the problem still exists. 

The ULB's drastically failed in collecting the solid waste. According to rules, it is obligatory on the part of all local bodies to arrange for collection, segregation, transportation and suitable disposal of waste of the local bodies. But only 17 per cent of the solid waste is being treated for waste to energy plants. 

The same is with the liquid waste management. As much as 68 per cent of the urban population is not being treated for liquid waste. Out of 110 ULBs, only 9 are covered for sewage treatment plants. With this, the storage on the streets is severe and causing contamination. 

36% in AP live in slums
Slums are observed in large numbers in ULs. Around 36 per cent of the urban population in the state lives in slums. Vizag is the largest city in AP. The port cities are a 35.2 per cent-wise in urban slums since 2001, Vijayawada, AP’s next big city, has been a 71 per cent increase in slum population. The government is unable to treat them effectively. 

Along with these traffic, pollution, high temperatures are also contributing for unpleasant urban life. 

Municipal administration and urban development director K. Kanna Babu said the government has started an urban mission to provide basic amenities constructively and it’s progressive. The works are on systematic pace and government intends to provide healthy and hygienic living with all basic amenities.