Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur   

Road widening: Congress rejects TDP plea

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, DEC. 20. In an unexpected development, a Congress delegation from Tadipatri sent by J.C. Prabhakar Reddy, the Municipal Chairperson and younger brother of the Panchayat Raj Minister, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, met key leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) at the party office here on Monday, over the controversy of pulling down structures in Tadipatri town as part of widening of the Cuddapah-Bellary road.

The TDP leaders suggested that the Congress delegation accept setting up of an all-party committee to decide on the extent of widening afresh. However, the Congress leaders rejected the proposal and left the TDP office.

Petition Collector

The two sides called on the district Collector, Y.V. Anuradha, separately, and submitted a memorandum later pressing for their stand on the issue. The Collector assured the two sides of looking into the matter.

The Congress delegation led by the Tadipatri town president, K. Murali, and the former vice-chairperson of the municipality, Mohd. Iqbal, arrived at the TDP district office here and held discussions with the TDP leaders -- the Penukonda MLA, Paritala Ravindra, the Polit Bureau member and former MP, K. Srinivasulu, and the district general secretary and former MP, B.K. Parthasarathi.

As part of the widening of the Cuddapah-Bellary road, which intersects Tadipatri town, the Tadipatri Municipality has undertaken demolition of structures coming in the way. It had been planned to widen the road up to 120 feet including the existing road initially. But, it was reduced to 90 feet due to pressure from residents.

Differences on road width

Accordingly, the municipality completed marking for demolition of structures. However, differences cropped up between the Congress and the TDP over removal of structures, as the marking was forcing deeper evacuation on one side of the road. While the TDP demanded widening only up to 70 feet, the

Congress insisted on 90 feet, claiming that about 350 residents had already given a written consent for 90 feet width.

Voluntary evacuation

Residents and other building owners assured to evacuate voluntarily by December 20 to facilitate widening. But, only 10 structures including six private premises and four municipal structures have been evacuated voluntarily so far.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Road widening: Congress rejects TDP plea
CPI(M) meet on January 2, 3
One killed as van hits seven-seater autorickshaw

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu