Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said Tirupati would be developed into a vibrant medical and educational hub, according top priority to promotion of greenery and creation of the most liveable conditions to realise the vision of making it number one city in the country.
Mr. Naidu was addressing a public meeting in Tirupati after taking part in the 1.5-km march undertaken from NTR Circle to Nehru Municipal School Grounds. The theme of the march was, ‘Green Tirupati… Most Liveable Tirupati.’
Mr. Naidu said Tirupati, which had been ranked number 4 in the country in terms of living conditions, should climb up to the number one slot in the near future.
“The 150-acre Nagara Vanam is a step in that direction. Schools, colleges and universities will be encouraged to take up plantations and improve the green cover from the existing 30% to 50%. Steps are under way to lay a walking track for 8 km from Alipri to zoo park. The TTD has come forward to develop an Eco Park at Avilala tank on the city outskirts at a cost of ₹1 crore. By December-end, all the parks in the city would be given a facelift,” Mr. Naidu said.
He urged people to shun caste and communal politics and, instead, concentrate on the development of the city.
Referring to the attempt made on his life by the Maoists at Alipiri in 2003, Mr. Naidu said Tirupati had given him a rebirth. “I will always be in the forefront to develop the city in every possible way,” he added.
Natural farming
The Chief minister reiterated his government’s commitment to providing housing for all the urban poor in the State. He also said that natural farming would be given top priority by involving five lakh farmers in the coming months.
Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana said 110 municipalities had faced paucity of funds post bifurcation. “Thanks to the vision of the Chief Minister, there has been no hindrance to the developmental activities such as installation of LED bulbs,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Naidu inaugurated the Nagara Vanam at the foothills near Kapilatheertham and planted a sapling to mark the occasion.
Later, he participated in the public rally, interacting and greeting the people all the way.
At Ramakrishna Circle, Mr. Naidu launched the Digital Door Numbering (DDN) system at a household and interacted with its owner. He said the system was a first of its kind in the country. It would be useful to study the efficacy of government schemes, he added.
Chittoor MP N. Siva Prasad, Collector P.S. Pradyumna, Tirupati MLA Sugunamma, TUDA chairman Narasimha Yadav, district MLAs, and senior party leaders and heads of various government departments were present.
