The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is going ahead with the exquisite street lighting notwithstanding special officer S.A.M. Rizvi's suggestion to put such projects on hold. The corporation officials maintain that these projects were sanctioned prior to the Special Officer's directions.
The VMC took up erection of exquisite street lighting on Sambamurthy Road near Durgapuram a couple of days ago.
The VMC officials planned to erect 28 poles on this 1 k.m. stretch of the road and in all 56 lights would glow. The VMC was spending Rs.40 lakh to install these street lights.
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Likewise, the exquisite street lights would be installed on Andhra Loyola College Road, in One Town area and Ambedkar Road in Kummaripalem centre etc.
Depending upon the road length and requirement, each scheme cost Rs.30 lakh to Rs.40 lakh. In all, the VMC plans to spend Rs.1 crore on street lighting on these roads. The VMC officials maintained that the schemes were sanctioned 7 to 8 months ago.
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However, they could not be grounded due to delay in road widening works, and construction of medians. The tenders were finalised and works were awarded, they said.
Had the corporation taken up regular street lights and poles installation, the cost would not have been more than Rs.65 lakh to Rs.70 lakkh.
However, the corporation, as part of its city beautification proposals planned installation of exquisite street lights on bridges, important roads, canal berms etc., sources said.
These street lights were first installed on bridge near VMC main office. It drew flak from various quarters, including ruling Congress party. It spent about Rs.10 crore on beautification works like paving of footpaths, erection of exquisite street lights and floating fountains. The officials, then, spent the money without prior approval for the works from the Standing Committee or had not made sufficient budgetary provisions.