The Hindu       06.01.2011

VMC move on vacant lands draws flak

Taxpayers oppose proposal to develop restaurants, gyms in public places

The Tax Payers Association (TPA) has opposed the proposal of the
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) to develop restaurants, gyms and
car parking lots in public places in public-private partnership mode.
The association has felt that the corporation’s move will deprive the
people of open spaces earmarked for parks and playgrounds, which act as
lung space.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday,
association president V. Sambi Reddy and secretary M.V. Anjaneyulu said
that more than 10 lakh people were living in the city and they had a
right to assemble and organise meetings under Article 19(1) (b) of the
Constitution. The corporation’s move would deprive the people of their
Constitutional right. The corporation was handing over all vacant lands,
including that of old bus stand and canal road guest house, one after
the other to private institutions and organisations, they said.

Now, it was poised to give away Ansari Park on Besant
road and Brindavan Colony to construct shopping complexes. About 6,000
sq. metres of land at Bhavanipuram, 10 acres on Gunadala hill and four
acres on Indrakeeladri were also being handed over. “Where do the people
go, if the VMC is creating a concrete jungle? The children would be
left with no land to play and people will have no open spaces to conduct
meetings,” they said.

Open space sought

The corporation should earmark at least 2,000 sq. metres
of land in every division in the city. There was no open space in
Governorpet for the public utilities. The Ansari Park could hold a
minimum of 700 people. Hence, the corporation should withdraw the
proposal to construct a parking complex there, and convert it into a
place for public meetings. Instead of charging a rent of Rs.50,000 for
PWD grounds (Swaraj Maidan), the authorities should give Swaraj Maidan
and Gymkhana grounds free of cost to conduct public meetings, they
demanded.