Even two years have passed after the foundation stone for the four-km connecting Autonagar Terminal with Kakani Venkata Ratnam UDA link road was laid, the project is yet to take off, much to the disappointment of the residents of Siri Nagar, Tulasi Nagar and other surrounding areas.
The foundation stone was laid by former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy in September 2012. After several representations from residents for a parallel road connecting the NTR Circle with Poranki and beyond, the authorities had decided to lay a 4-km road from Autonagar Terminal to Kakani Venkata Ratnam UDA link road (100 feet road near Chaitanya College) under the Zonal Development plan.
The road was to be laid via Urdu School, Sanathnagar, Sirinagar, Tulasinagar, Penamaluru Police Station, Siddhartha Engineering College, KCP Colony till 100 feet road near Chaitanya College.
Tenders were called and the Rs.5.9-crore project was allotted to a private contractor by the VGTM-UDA.
But since then there has been no progress. Excepting for some civic works and excavation works, the project continues to be sidelined for the reasons known to the authorities.
Once ready, the road can be an alternative for the ever-busy Bandar Road and traffic could be diverted on this stretch, says Sirinagar Residents Welfare Association treasurer M. Murali.
Residents have been running from pillar to post to ascertain the reasons for the inordinate delay in taking up the works. In March 2014, the issue was taken to up with Krishna Collector during Prajavani and in reply, the VGTM-UDA authorities explained that works would commence shortly and would be completed within the deadline.
Again in September 2014, the VGTM-UDA was approached and this time, authorities informed that the Irrigation Department had to issue a No Objection certificate (since the road was laid along the Pantakaluva) and Revenue Department had to clear the encroachments.
On the other hand, revenue officials, in October last year, clarified that Irrigation Department had issued notices to the encroachers and it had to take up the initiative. Revenue Department would assist the irrigation officials to carry out the evictions, informs Sirinagar Residents Welfare Association secretary S.A.K. Baji.
“In the blame game between the two departments, the project is getting delayed and encroachers are occupying the land at their will. It is high time the authorities commence the works,” says Mr. Baji.
Despite pleas by residents, works pertaining to the Rs. 5.9-cr. project hang fire
Irrigation and revenue officials point finger at each other for eviction of encroachments
