Kakinada: The widening of roads in Kakinada City, taken up by the Kakinada Municipal Corporation, is being criticised by citizens on the ground that the KMC has shown discrimination.
KMC officials widened roads by digging the ramps of several households, even nursing homes. But, they spared the ramps of some influential persons.
For example, in Ramaraopet, road widening is being taken up and both sides of the roads have been dug up. But, officials allegedly have spared the front of hotels near the railway station and also opposite Raja Tank area.
People in several areas are facing the same problem. In Sarpavaram Road also, a shopping complex has occupied the road and displayed ‘no parking’ boards. Security guards are not allowing vehicles either to pass or park. Neither traffic police or municipal authorities or village officials can take any action against the displays, though it is a public road.
The people say that though KMC or Smart City officials are spending crores of rupees for development of roads and drains in the city, but they are not able to do a good job due to the influence of some Corporates or rich people.
“The roads have lost their beauty and vehicles owners are also facing many troubles as they find roads are wide in some parts but, suddenly appear congested near corporate hotels and the homes of influential people,” said the Citizens’ Initiative secretary Duvvuri Subrahmanyam.
He said that all residents were paying taxes, in fact, there were cases where rich people were not paying any taxes and seeking favours for a reduction in tax. But, officials were also doing favours for those people and corporate forces, he said.
However, KMC chief engineer Ch. Vijaya Kumar clarified that there was no discrimination in road development programmes. But, in some places, the traders had strengthened the roads in front of their establishments and it was difficult to demolish the constructions.
“Sometimes, equipment has been also damaged while removing ramps as part of the widening process. However, after completion of the roads in several streets, ramps in front of the hotels would be removed,” he said.
