VISAKHAPATNAM: Eight slums will be identified in Visakhapatnam and developed as role models for the remaining slums.
As per a survey of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), the city has 793 slums in all eight zones from Bheemili to Anakapalli. 1.59 lakh families with a total population of 6.62 lakh reside in these slums. Areas like Jodugullapalem and Jalaripeta have the maximum number of slums.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, 12th Ward corporator from Zone-2 A. Rohini said they have slums even on the hilltops. "The decision of the corporation to develop slums follows suggestions made by corporators in various meetings of the civic body. In fact, developing slums is one of the election agendas of corporators," Rohini underlined.
GVMC commissioner Rajababu said they will first identify a slum each in all eight zones. They will list of the problems of the people living there and prepare an action plan to resolve the issues in a phased manner. Once these slums are developed, they will go to remaining slums and adopt the same procedures for improving the living conditions of slum dwellers there. It will be a continuous process, the commissioner remarked.
Another corporator Gangarao of steel plant area said the corporation has already collected basic details of all slums, including the social infrastructure in the areas. He suggested that the corporation go through the recommendations made by corporators for better results.
Before 2005, there were 450 slums in Visakhapatnam. Later, Bheemili, Gajuwaka and Anakapalli got merged into Visakhapatnam corporation, taking the number of slums to 793.
“During the last decade, slums have been completely neglected, as the corporation did not have an elected body. Now, the elected council has decided to improve the slums by providing all infrastructure. We will soon make Vizag a slum-free city,” GVMC mayor Venkata Kumari remarked.
