Meghadri Gadda Reservoir Needs Urgent Repair, Vizag Collector Tells Assembly Panel
He requested the committee to recommend adequate funding from the government for its repair.
Visakhapatnam: A plea for transfer of the Meghadri Gadda reservoir from the Irrigation department to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has been made by the district administration.
Vizag collector Harendhira Prasad informed the estimates panel of the AP assembly that the reservoir, a major source of drinking water to the GVMC region, was in a poor condition. He requested the committee to recommend adequate funding from the government for its repair. This, he said, would ensure full utilization of the reservoir for the water requirements of the city.
Committee chairman Vegulla Jogeswara Rao, along with members Eluri Sambasiva Rao, Nimmaka Jayakrishna, Maddipati Venkataraju, Suryanarayana Raju and MLC Varudu Kalyani, held a review meeting with officials at the Vizag collectorate.
Jogeswara Rao emphasized that development works succeeded “only when estimates reflect field conditions and when funds from both central and state governments are used efficiently.”
He urged officials to prepare estimates on time and upload bills immediately after completion of works.
The committee reviewed development works undertaken in the district during 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22, examining estimates, expenditure and project progress. Collector Prasad and departmental officers briefed the committee on ongoing projects and district needs.
Members offered suggestions on project costs, as also the estimated preparation and implementation challenges. Officials also presented details of the work carried out in primary, secondary and service sectors.
Jogeswara Rao reiterated earlier instructions to officials that they obtain fresh permissions to complete the stalled NREGS building works and report the status to the Centre. Proposals should also be prepared for renovation of the Meghadri Gedda reservoir and for its formal handover to the GVMC.
Committee member Eluri Sambasiva Rao proposed stronger implementation of the post‑Matric scholarship scheme and continuous monitoring to ensure SC households received 200 units of free electricity under the Babu Jagjivan Jyoti scheme.
He sought a report on reviving the Ambedkar overseas scholarship scheme. Maddipati Venkatapathy Raju suggested involving the secretariat and DRDA staff, along with ANMs and ASHAs, in the monthly pension distribution. Nimmaka Jayakrishna called for timely delivery of agricultural produce to farmers and greater awareness on new schemes.