The Times of India             08.02.2014

AMC demands Rs 1,125 crore from government for city's development

AURANGABAD: The officials of the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Friday urged 14th Union finance commission to grant special funds to the tune of Rs 1,125 crore for the city's development.

However, mayor Kala Oza and other office-bearers of the AMC, who were in Mumbai to seek the state government's permission to the long pending water distribution project in the city, could not meet chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Friday.

Talking about the poor condition of roads and other civic amenities in the city, Oza urged the commission to grant special funds. Oza said the municipal corporation was established 32 years ago and over the period, the city has witnessed a sea change. "However, people still have to rely on old infrastructure. Today, population has crossed the 10-lakh mark and the city area has surpassed 142 sq km. Looking at such a huge growth, the city desperately needs better facilities and to provide it, the civic body falls short of funds," she said.

Oza said the civic body had repeatedly urged the state government to release funds for the city's developments.

Commenting about the city's roads, Oza said they were designed some 40-45 years ago. "It is extremely difficult to rebuild all the roads with the help of revenue generated by the municipal corporation. The civic body needs at least Rs 500 crore to develop roads as several foreign and domestic tourists visit the city every year," she said.

Besides, Oza said the civic body requires Rs 50 crore for making significant improvement in the city's solid waste management system, Rs 200 crore for streamlining nullahs, Rs 50 crore for the construction of new schools, Rs 200 crore for installing for streetlights, Rs 50 crore for strengthening the fire brigade department, Rs 50 crore for improving of public toilets and Rs 25 crore for the construction of bridges.