Visakhapatnam: GVMC commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana said the state government had, in principle, accepted for releasing Rs 654.4 crore for taking up drinking water projects in the city.

He attended the state-level steering committee meet, which was headed by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, in Hyderabad on Monday. He said they had prepared estimations, worth Rs 326 crore, for taking up drinking water projects in north, west and central city and that the committee had approved them.

This apart, Raiwada pipeline project, estimated to cost Rs 319 crore, and Gajuwaka drinking water improvisation works, put at Rs 9.40 crore, also received nod, he said.

The projects approved would be sent to the central government for final approval, he explained. The construction of 1,117 pending houses, under JNNURM, would also be taken up in the coming days,  the commissoiner said.