GVMC eyes VLT

March 31, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:45 am IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

With having to spend a total of Rs.171 crore for completion of the pending projects taken up under Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), GVMC plans to raise resources to spend its share of Rs.171 crore.

Of the total of Rs.253 crore required to complete the projects, Rs.25.98 crore is the Government of India’s share and Rs.56.58 crore that of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

For the 24X7 water scheme at Malkapuram costing Rs.83 crore, of the Rs.41 crore of the Government of India share only Rs.10.7 crore for one quarter had been given. The Union Government had wound up the urban mission and restricted fund release to only what was drawn up to that point. In the scheme, the Andhra Pradesh Government’s share is Rs.16 crore.

If the project cost is excluded then the GVMC share to complete the projects will come down to Rs.111 crore, says Municipal Commissioner Pravin Kumar.

A letter has been addressed to the Government of Andhra Pradesh urging it to grant the money for the remaining three quarters.

Though the government has accorded permission to raise a further loan of Rs. 80 crore, the corporation plans to borrow Rs.10 crore to Rs.15 crore.

Apart from improving property tax revenue by a saturation approach, the corporation intends to raise resources from vacant land tax, says the Municipal Commissioner. The Building Penalisation scheme (BPS) to be introduced by the government also bring in up to Rs.60 crore.

Of the 21 projects taken up under JNNURM with a cost of Rs.2,127 crore, 13 have been completed. Among the remaining are the Bus Rapid Transit System, four water supply schemes, underground drainage and two housing projects.

The UGD scheme is expected to be completed by September. The water schemes for 30 peripheral areas, the central city and the One Town area have been completed by more than 80 per cent. The 24X7 water supply scheme however is lagging behind with only 30 per cent progress.

The provision of infrastructure and other facilities like anganwadi centres at JNNURM housing barring at two will be completed by April 15. A total of 19 officers- one for two blocks- have been appointed to speed up the process.

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