Tirupati: Probably with an eye on the ensuing corporation elections, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted surprise checks in Tirupati town on Friday morning. He promised to build permanent houses with basic infrastructure su-ch as drinking water and drains when people living in Scavengers’ colony narrated their ordeals. Claiming that his government is committed to provide houses to all the poor living in the state, the CM directed the TTD to extend their total cooperation to develop the temple city.
Stressing that he was keen on developing Tirupati as an industrial hub as well as an educational and health centre in the state, he made specific mention about the development of Svims and SVRR government hospital in the city and also about the enormous scope for service sector improvement in line with the rapid growth of the popular pilgrim centre. Speaking to media persons after the inspection, the CM said developing Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati as mega cities in the state was his government’s top agenda.
Downplaying doubts over financial constra-ints of the state, Mr Naidu instructed the municipal corporation to strive to improve basic facilities such as drinking water and sanitation besides beautification of the city. He also told them to make best use of technology such as CCTVs and information technology-enabled services to keep a tab on civic facilities, drainage maintenance and also street lighting.
Expressing displeasure over laxity among the officials towards their duties, the CM said he would not spare erring officials. Naidu, accompanied by local MLA M. Suguna, TTD chairman Chadalavada Krishnamurthy, officials and TD leaders, inspected the Scavengers’ colony, Korlagunta and Rajiv Nagar areas, and after seeing a stagnated drain, instructed the municipal authorities to set it right immediately.
At Rajiv Nagar, he said the government had sanctioned 10,000 houses to the poor in the city and was ready to allocate more, if required. Mr Naidu took some time off while going to airport to chat with students of Spring Dale Public School on Karakambadi road and readily obliged them when they sought his autograph. Earlier, at Alipiri, Mr Naidu cut a cake arranged by TD leader Sudharani to mark the government’s decision to waive off loans of SHG women groups. Meanwhile, the CM’s visit led to traffic blockades, as police diverted traffic at the busy Alipiri Road and later at Leelamahal junction, causing inconvenience to school-going students, daily commuters and pilgrims.
