Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

Where encroachments hamper development

By Ramesh Susarla

The land identified for community hall in Sarada Colony was encroached upon.

GUNTUR, FEB. 10. Sarada Colony, the largest resettlement township constructed in Guntur after the 1977 Divi Seema cyclonic storm, is a neglected colony today with only 15 out of the 52 roads laid so far.

The only Guntur Municipal Corporation's 17th division, earmarked for a single colony, needs immediate attention as far as protection of vacant lands is concerned. Many of the GMC lands need to be taken out of the clutches of encroachers to provide some amenities promised to the citizens.

The settlers on the fringes of the colony adjoining Reddipalem village live in the Wakf Board land without basic amenities and their fate hangs fire. The division corproator, Yaramala Bharathi, has got a gravel road laid to provide some accessibility to their houses.

Seven roads laid

"The fringe settlers are a big headache for the colony residents with pressure increasing on them to share amenities like water and face consequences of open defecation, sewage stagnation," B. Yesupadam, residing here for 20 years points out.

During the past five years, seven cement concrete roads were laid in the colony built in the memory of then Governor, Sarada Mukherjee, who had laid the foundation for the family members of the 270 victims of 1977 cyclone. No money was collected from the ward for works under the Janmabhoomi, which people feel, has resulted in less number of roads laid here compared to other divisions.

The colony with high-level reservoirs does not have water problem, as there is enough pressure. Street lighting is also reasonably good. The division also has an upper primary school with all amenities.

The settlers on the fringes of the colony in the Wakf Board land have been asking for B Form from the revenue authorities, but the GMC has not taken any interest, they alleged. "If B Form is given, we can get most of the basic amenities," they pointed out. None of them is, however, ready to vacate the place for an alternative.

GUNTUR DIVISION-17

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Where encroachments hamper development
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