Lack of security and parking facilities at NTR and municipal corporation complexes in Governorpet is causing severe inconvenience to the public visiting them. Shop owners are not happy either, saying it is bad for business.
About 150 shops are located in NTR Complex, which is famous for electronics devices, mobile phones and other gadgets. In the municipal commercial complex, situated near Jaihind theatre, many jewellery and other shops were given for lease.
However, there is no sufficient parking and the poor security is leading to thefts. People are forced to park the vehicles on the road and there are no surveillance cameras to prevent any untoward incident in the vicinity.
Unauthorised shops
“Municipal officials talk about rules in the city, but how can they run their complexes without enough parking, particularly at jewellery showrooms? There is a threat to the life of the public from the criminals when they carry cash and jewellery from shop to some distance. The VMC officials should address the issue immediately,” said a customer G. Satyavathi, who came to a jewellery shop.“There are about 150 shops in NTR complex, but the parking space is much less. Adding to the problem, some local leaders are allowing petty vendors, push carts and pan shops at the parking lots and even nalas, by collecting money. We request the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials to solve the issue,” said a shop owner, who has been doing business for the last few years.
“The VMC is constructing another 200 shops in NTR Complex. The corporation should remove all the unauthorised shops, clear the pavements and nalas and provide sufficient parking space for the customers,” said a mobile shop owner.
At the municipal commercial complex, there are no sufficient CCTVs and parking lots, and criminals are taking advantage of the situation. Recently, dacoits struck at a gold workshop in the same locality and escaped with ornaments weighing about 10 kg. “How can the customers park vehicles on the roads carry huge cash and the ornaments from the vehicles? We are facing threat from robbers and snatchers, ” a jewellery shop owner said.
City Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang said CCTVs would be installed at all vantage points at the municipal complexes and discussions would be held with the traders soon. VMC Estate Officer Krishna Murthy said the corporation authorities are seized of the matter.
