KAKINADA: The government has decided to establish a new urban development authority for East Godavari district, christened Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA).
The GUDA will comprise two municipal corporations (Kakinada and Rajamahendravaram) along with three municipalities (Samalkot, Peddapuram and Pithapuram) and two major villages (Gollaprolu and Kathipudi) of the district. The new Urban Development Authority (UDA) will cover nearly 884 sq km radius (the East Godavari district spread in 12,607 sq km) including 112 villages in the district.
The AP Cabinet has also decided to establish new UDA for Anantapur, Kurnool and Nellore districts. With this, the authorities of respective districts are expecting faster development in their areas. Following the constitution of UDA, the internal/external transport facilities and industrialisation would witness rapid growth and the commercial value of sites would increase manifold.
More corporate companies would come forward to establish their units within the UDA jurisdiction and good governance would be offered due to the appointment of more IAS officers. The public representatives would get to occupy key positions in the administrative setup as GUDA chairperson and directors. This, in turn, would result in generation of more employment opportunities in the region.
The port city of Kakinada would flourish as a merchant navy hub, while Rajamahendravaram might become the mega business capital city of both the Godavari districts. Peddapuram, Samalkot and Pithapuram municipalities would register rapid industrialisation and the municipal income would increase enormously.
“We didn’t yet receive any government order regarding the establishment of GUDA. After receiving the GO only we will get to know the full details of the areas to fall under GUDA, their survey numbers and related information,” explained Sakala Reddy, Regional Director of Municipal Administration-Rajamahendravaram.
Meanwhile, the decision evoked mixed response from the people of Kakinada. While a few expressed happiness over infrastructure development likely to take place, some are worried over imminent increase in land value, registration charges, tax hike, etc.
“Bringing both Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada municipal corporations under UDA is not good. Due to this, the market value of land, registration fees and taxes would increase enormously and this will burden the common man. The government should take this into consideration before taking any decision,” felt R Rajagopala Rao, a 65-year-old retired teacher from Rajamahendravaram.
“It is a right move to ensure development in the region. With the establishment of GUDA, industrial and commercial activities will get a boost which, in turn, will generate new employ