Under the city beautification programme and as part of its pilot project to improve greenery in the city, the GVMC has so far planted 3,800 saplings.
The GVMC has initiated the beautification programme to promote Green Visakha and to encourage a healthy environment.
Pots of ornamental plants such as pykors, ficus panda, ficus black plants, and different hues of bougainvillea have been placed at different locations.
The GVMC has positioned 1,560 plants at road margins and central dividers and 2,240 plants near traffic islands. At present, the saplings cover a stretch of 8.5 km.
One can see the plants from old Gajuwaka to new Gajuwaka, Rama Talkies to Satyam junction, Siripuram, Asilmetta, Rednam Gardens, Jail Road, and Adarsh Nagar. They have been placed either on the dividers or on footpaths, depending on availability of space.
“The greenery catches the attention of passers-by, particularly at the signals,” says Praveen Reddy, a commuter. “I look forward to a greener Visakha, which should be maintained well in future too,” he adds.
Future plans
The GVMC plans to place one lakh saplings near Hanumanthawaka, Adavivaram, burial grounds, avenues, parks, schools, and other open areas. The project is estimated to cost Rs.3 crore, which includes the cost of landscaping and maintenance, says GVMC Assistant Director of Horticulture B. Balarama Krishna.
The existing saplings and the proposed ones would take at least one year to bloom, it is said.
