Vijayawada infrastructure projects fail to get Centre’s UCF funds

Vijayawada: Vijayawada city, which has been subjected to an abject neglect in terms of infrastructure development over the past few years by successive governments, has once again received zero funds under the Centre’s Urban Challenge Fund (UFC) scheme, as proposals for infrastructure works worth Rs 1,052 crore, including an underground drainage project worth Rs 733 crore and a drinking water pipeline project worth Rs 319 crore, failed to receive the Centre’s approval.On the other hand, The Centre has sanctioned Rs 497.71 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) scheme for the development of various civic infrastructure projects in Visakhapatnam and Mangalagiri-Tadepalli municipal corporations in the state. The state government has sent Rs 1,990.83 crore worth proposals pertaining to various infrastructure works from Visakhapatnam and MTMC corporations to the Centre seeking funds under UCF scheme.“Although, Vijayawada did not receive any UCF funds under the first trance of scheme. We are hopeful that the Centre will sanction requisite funds for both UGD and drinking water pipeline projects in Vijayawada city, in the second tranche,” VMC incharge chief engineer P Satya Kumari clarified, adding that the proposals sent by VMC are under active consideration with the Centre.Satya Kumari confirmed that the state government has forwarded the proposals for Vijayawada city along with Visakhapatnam and Manngalagiri-Tadepalli civic bodies, however, the proposals from GVMC and MTMC were prioritised in the first tranche.The official said that the civic body has prepared a comprehensive DPRs worth Rs 4,800 crore for providing storm water drains, drinking water pipelines, underground drainage and various other civic amenities to the citizens in the city.The official added that the proposed projects are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply, improving sanitation standards and modernising the city’s underground drainage network to cater to future population growth.