Visakhapatnam: The glossy brochures promise you the moon - adjacent to 100 feet road, planned drainage and sanitation and creatively done up intertors.The truth is something else altogether.
Despite the rapid development of Visakhapatnam, many newly developed colonies in and around Madhurawada, famously known as IT hub of Andhra Pradesh, still lack roads, drainage and street lights.
Even years after the residents paid all taxes, the GVMC is yet to provide some colonies with the basic infrastructure. It was also learnt that in some places the officials have yet to issue Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) to some private players to lay the roads. There are about 100 thriving colonies on the outskirts of Madhurawada.
As per the norms, the developers have to earmark certain portions of land for the roads and other infrastructure. But the GVMC officials have been taking their own time in some areas of the city to develop them.
Latchiraju Layout, Sai Priya Gardens, Srinivasa Nagar and Sound & Sound Layout near PM Palem and Daspalla Layout, Rajeev Nagar and YLPLayout in Yendada are some of the colonies lacking basic infrastructure.
S. Srinivasa Murthy of YLP Layout of Yendada commented that due to lack of proper roads, they were greeted by pothole-ridden muddy roads as they step out of their homes.
“We had earlier given a representation to the officials for roads. But the road work came to a halt right in front of our colony for reasons unknown. We have yet to get street lights,” he said.
When this correspondent visited, caved-in muddy roads and water stagnation on the roads was observed in several parts of these colonies.
Explaining the delayed works of a 100-feet road in Latchiraju Layout, V. Appalanadu, a builder said that besides the officials’ apathy, several hurdles were standing in the way of development.
“The GVMC has yet to issue the TDRs for private players. Until then, the work will be delayed,” he added.
When contacted, a GVMC official informed that they are providing infrastructure to the colonies in a phased manner. “Due to the rapid development, work in some colonies was delayed. But otherwise, all colonies are doing great in terms of infrastructure,” he added.
