Another 94 cities and towns also will be developed under the JNNURM scheme in the State.

At the State-level Steering Committee meeting held here today, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy directed the officials to complete all the proposed drinking water schemes taken up under JNNURM by March next. He asked the officials to ensure that the citizens residing in these 98 cities and towns should get safe drinking water under any circumstances.

Further, the Chief Minister wanted the Finance department to release funds towards the State’s share for the Centrally sponsored schemes to leverage Central funds for various schemes.

Rajasekhara Reddy today directed the officials to improve the public transport system in all the mission cities under the scheme where about 1,540 buses will be commissioned for operation. The officials have already placed orders for buses and the first phase of buses will be launched by December.

Speaking to reporters here today, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said that about Rs 523.21 crore will be contributed by the State Government as its share towards the JNNURM programme for construction of houses and slum development in various urban local bodies. He said that the Government is spending about Rs 2,223 crore for development of Tirupati city which was recently added to the list of mission cities.