Bowing to the pressure from locals, the district administration has shelved its ambitious plan of constructing an Outer Ring Road all along Srikakulam town.
The Government reportedly backtracked over the proposal following stiff resistance from locals. Moreover, the officials feared that they would have to allocate a huge amount as compensation for land acquisition. It was estimated at least Rs.150 crore would be needed as per the New Land Acquisition Act-2013.
The Ring Road was originally proposed to cover Ponnada Bridge-Collectorate-Kunikipeta-Khazipeta- Arasavalli-National Highway and Navabharat Junction. The total stretch would be around 12 km.
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The administration was keen on the project to ensure better civic infrastructure and other facilities for people living on the outskirts. The officials felt that the ORR would help develop satellite townships and reduce the density of the population within the town.
It is observed that people are not moving towards Pedapadu (Narasannapeta route), Srikakulam-Amadalavalasa route and the Navabharat Junction towards Etcherla due to lack of amenities such as municipal water, drainage and electricity in a few localities.
Though the intention was good, political leaders and realtors swung into action to make a killing through realty business in those areas. Sources say many high-networth individuals invested a huge amount in the proposed areas. The officials felt that the very purpose of the proposal would be defeated apart from inviting trouble from the locals since their lands would be affected.
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Several residents of Pedapadu had strongly protested against the project and blocked surveys recently in their village located on the outskirts of Srikakulam. “The Government can create facilities such as drinking water even without ORR project in areas like Pedapadu which are very close to the town. That is why we strongly opposed ORR project,” said P. Rambabu, a resident of Pedapadu.
Ruling party leaders feared that the ORR would damage the party politically ahead of the Srikakulam Corporation election. With the up-gradation of the Municipality as Corporation, the outskirts came under the jurisdiction of the civic body. “Votes of people living in the outskirts have become crucial for the TDP. It is not an appropriate time to take up the project,” felt a senior leader.