Vijayawada: The state government has discreetly initiated plans to clear the structures on canal bunds here as part of its city beautification project.
It had earlier stopped the proposals, anticipating opposition from city legislators, but it has now revived them, allotting nearly Rs 300 crore for these projects, for fear of dissatisfaction from its own party legislators, according to an official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
TD legislators from the city had earlier opposed the governments plan to remove houses and business establishments from canal bunds as they were keeping the vote bank in mind.
Çonsequently, the business establishments on Sambamurthy Road on the canal bunds from Alankar Theatre centre to Kothavanthena centre were demolished during the last three days despite protests from some owners who demanded that the government provide compensation for their loss.
The officials have planned to clear the encroachments on the canal bunds at different locations in the city in a phased manner, with the ones on the Krishna River bunds at Bhavanipuram being cleared already and houses at Ramavarapadu Ring Centre being razed recently.
The Kapu Association office building, fire office and other structures were also brought down for road expansion and beautification. Several huts on Bandar canal bund, which were at Pundit Nehru Bus Station earlier, were removed and greenery laid. Huge numbers of huts were removed on Ryvas canal bunds at the old government hospital.
Yet, some encroachments, including several prominent establishments, continue to occupy canal bunds in various parts of the city.
