After making several announcements at the time of the Godavari Pushkaram, the government seems not to be making serious efforts for the creation of the Rajahmahendravaram Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and the launch of the Akhanda Godavari Project (AGP), which includes the construction of a TTD temple in Rajahmundry.
For the record, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had announced the Akhanda Godavari Project at the valedictory of the Godavari Pushkaram, besides promising to release Rs. 100 crore as initial grant. District Collector H. Arun Kumar told The Hindu that the Tourism Department and the Industrial Infrastructure Corporation were preparing project reports, and that tenders would soon be invited for the proposed AGP, which included the development of a tourism circuit and infrastructure projects like convention centre and a five-star hotel.
On the land required for the TTD temple, the municipal authorities said that during the Pushkaram the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues as well as the TTD Executive Officer had been shown the municipal and endowment lands near the Godavari bund at Seshaiah Metta. Since the land specified for the project was insufficient, the Chief Minister directed officials to acquire private land nearby at prices fixed by the government, but owners were demanding the market price, they added.
The creation of RUDA has been pending for more than a decade, and a major requirement is a new master plan merging 22 surrounding villages. While the merger process is almost over, the master plan is yet to be prepared.
