Vijayawada: The residents of Nidamanuru, Ramavarappadu, Besant Road and other areas in the city were happy with the announcement of Light Metro Rail project in the place of Metro Rail proposed by the government. People who were worried about the acquisition of land in a big way and road widening, are now happy with the change in the project, which does not disturb their habitat.
People of Nidamanuru, who opposed acquisition of 62 acres for metro rail depot in the village, staged protest demonstrations and even gheraoed the collector at a meeting held on land acquisition. Some farmers had even planned to challenge the government in court. However, the change in the proposed project had now solved their problem and farmers are now thanking the government.
“The Metro Rail proposal worried us for a while. We were fearing losing fertile agriculture land, worth crores of rupees, and with which we even have a bonding. We even decided to fight seriously against this but the change in government’s decision has made us happy,” said Mallavarapu Ramanath, a resident of Nidamanuru. A few business units on the Besant Road and Eluru Road welcomed the decision of the government about Light Metro. “We opposed the Metro Rail project and argued that such a huge project is not viable in a city like Vijayawada. We erected banners opposing the proposed road extension. The Union government has finally cancelled the project. We consider it a victory,” said Katuri Chakravarthi, a retail merchant, at the Museum Road .
Meanwhile, Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation is busy preparing the detailed project report for the Light Metro Rail project after green signal from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
