Disclosing this at a meeting of officials here today, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said that already UGDS had been taken up in Greater Hyderabad, Greater Visakha and Vijayawada cities with Central Government assistance.

Proposals for such system in other cities in the State including Guntur, Kadapa, Warangal and Nellore, were mooted by the State Government. The proposed UGDS for Nellore would be in such a way that it would cater to the needs of the population till 2040.

In another 10 days, with the help of NCPE Infrastructure Private Limited, proposals and plans for UGDS would be completed and submitted to the Nellore Municipal Corporation so that it can pass the proposal in the house and sent for ratification to the State Government for ratification, the Minister said. According to him, the Central Government has 80 percent share in the project, while the remaining 20 percent will be equally borne by the State Government and the Municipal Corporation concerned. ‘’Since the Corporation is unable to afford such a huge investment, the State Government will bear its share of investment,’’ he explained and added that Rs 336 crore of the estimated cost will be for construction of storm drain.

Earlier, a Powerpoint presentation on the proposed UDGS in the city was presented by the officials. Mayor N Bhanu Sri, Nellore City MLA M Sridhar Krishna Reddy, District Planning Board member Anam Jayakumar Reddy and Municipal Commissioner Anjaneyulu were present.