Tuda Launches Operation Swarna To Revive Swarnamukhi River
The operation is the first major river rejuvenation initiative in Andhra Pradesh: TUDA chairman Dollars Divakar Reddy
TIRUPATI: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) has announced the launch of Operation SWARNA (Swarnamukhi Waterbody Action for River and Nala Awareness), a special initiative to restore and protect the Swarnamukhi River.
Addressing media in Tirupati on Monday, TUDA chairman Dollars Divakar Reddy said the operation is the first major river rejuvenation initiative in Andhra Pradesh. In this regard, the government has issued a new GO entrusting TUDA with the responsibility of safeguarding the 130-kilometre-long river, which witnessed large-scale encroachments during the previous YSR Congress regime.
“Lands on both sides of Swarnamukhi and buffer zones have been grabbed and sold. Even tanks and nalas have not been spared. This has caused severe damage. The encroachments have led to floods two years ago, with illegal houses along the river worsening the situation,” he pointed out.
Divakar Reddy underlined TUDA’s decision to clear all illegal constructions and encroachments along the river stretch. A joint committee with TUDA, municipal and other government department officials will oversee the clearance drive. A special team is being formed to enforce the action plan. “No one who has encroached the river, buffer zone and nalas will be spared. Criminal cases will be registered against those who sold plots within the buffer zone,” he emphasised.
The TUDA chairman accused the YSRC government of diverting TUDA’s resources. “About ₹270 crore have been misused. TUDA vehicles are linked to the liquor scam. Sports infrastructure, like the one built at Tummalagunta with ₹40 crore, has turned out to be a wasteful expenditure. A Vigilance probe into TUDA’s irregularities has been completed and its report submitted to the government,” he pointed out.
Highlights reforms during his 100 days as chairman, Divakar Reddy said TUDA has organised training sessions for over 850 panchayat secretaries and MPDOs on layout approvals, initiated awareness programmes for licensed technical persons, and conducted the innovative “A Day with TUDA Chairman” programme across the city.
He said there is progress in resolving the long-pending Settipalli land issues. TUDA Towers is being fast-tracked and will be completed by June next year. The base price of TUDA plots at Surappakasam will be reduced before auction.
Divakar Reddy appealed to industrialists to invest in Tirupati, underlining that permissions have already been given for several star hotels.