VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is getting its act together in beautifying National Highway-16 between Vijayawada and Gannavaram Airport, after chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu recently expressed his displeasure over its upkeep.
The chief minister, while travelling from airport to Vijayawada recently, is understood to have been upset watching garbage lying either side of the road and there being no signs of any official taking any interest in keeping the road clean.
Later, Naidu asked the officials to entrust the upkeep and beautification of the stretch of the road between Vijayawada and Gannavaram to VMC, as a part of the stretch is not in its purview. He reportedly wanted the corporation to take care of not only sanitation but also beautification and illumination of the road between Vijayawada and Gannavaram Airport.
Taking the cue, municipal commissioner G Veerapandian along with the CRDA and horticulture officials inspected the road from Ramavarappadu Junction to Gannavaram Airport and inquired the status of the works relating to beautification.
As regards greenery, he apparently expressed his satisfaction over the progress in the work between Nidamanuru and Airport, and wanted the stretch between Nidamanuru and Ramavarappadu to be beautified without any further delay. He asked the officials to prepare estimates for laying drains and for construction of footpaths.
Veerapandian wanted the officials to close the drains with slabs but ensure manholes so that when it becomes necessary the staff would be able to remove garbage that accumulate in the drain. He appeared keen on raising flower plants along the highway. He also directed the staff to set up 1,500 potted plants between Ramavarappadu Junction and Nidamanuru, and raise flower bearing plants in the median of the road.