The much touted Vijayasri, a river front project, is confronted with many hurdles, environmental issues and inordinate delay in decision making. There is no progress in the project though the Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTMUDA) announced the project close to two years ago.
A four-member committee constituted by the State Government gave a green signal for the project some time ago. The Irrigation Department, however, is yet to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the proposals.
The Government has not taken any decision though the committee has suggested that the Government can convert zone – from recreation to commercial/residential — taking the project proposals into consideration.
A joint inspection of E-n-C (irrigation) and UDA officials was also completed and the NOC is expected shortly, officials said.
As per the rules, the land could be used only for recreation. The commercial and residential activity is not allowed. But, the land owners who gave consent have been demanding that the Government change the land use pattern. The UDA is proposing to acquire 6 acres for taking up the Vijayasri project. Of this, 4 acre belongs to city bigwigs. They gave the consent with rider, `change the zone’, sources say.
As environmental and river conservation issues were involved in the project, the Government constituted the committee to study the proposals. The committee comprising VGTMUDA Chief Planning Officer (CPO), GVMC CPO, HMDA CPO, and Joint Director DTCP was also constituted six months ago and report submitted within four months.
The riverfront is a comprehensive recreation facility near Bhavanipuram spread over one-km along the River Krishna. The entire stretch divided into five zones -- beach, recreation, water sports, eatery and green. The project is estimated to cost around Rs. 40 crore and would be implemented in three phases. In August 2011, the UDA announced that the first phase – landscaping -- is expected to be completed by end of year.
A foundation stone was also laid in June 2012, but there is no progress.
