The Hindu                  09.01.2014

GVMC stands out in urban mission implementation

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has stood out among urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh by winning two awards in the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in 2011-12. It shares an award with Ahmedabad for being the “Best City in implementation of Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) measures in terms of dwelling units sanctioned, started, completed and occupied, for ULBs in large States and Union Territories.”

It has won another award “Best city in implementation of three pro-poor reforms together (at ULB Level.)”

The awards will be presented by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function at Vigyan Bhavan at New Delhi on January 21.

An awards committee headed by Chairman of Selection Committee of JNNURM Awards Prof. O. P. Mathur and members, Prof. Neelima Risbud and Prof. R.V. Rama Rao, has recommended the awards in 13 categories.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation appoints the independent committee to recommend States and cities for the awards.

Municipal Commissioner M. V. Satyanarayana when contacted has said the awards are an encouragement to GVMC and it will continue to do its work for the city with dedication.

GVMC has taken up a total of 14,600 housing units with a cost of Rs.450 crore under JNNURM and completed 12,000.

Only 60 of the remaining have to be completed and for the others infrastructure needs are to be fulfilled.

It has done well in allocation of funds for slum, spending and development.