CRDA assures drinking water, urges farmers to join LPS

Vijayawada: Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) commissioner V Vijay Rama Raju on Wednesday assured residents of Krishnaayapalem village in Amaravati that the drinking water issue would be resolved in coordination with Rural Water Supply (RWS) officials.Addressing a gram sabha, he urged farmers to avail the opportunity to join the land pooling scheme (LPS) for capital development projects, even if their land was included in the recent acquisition notification.The commissioner explained that land pooling was undertaken for developing roads, LPS zones and other infrastructure in the capital city. He said the government issued land acquisition notifications only after repeated discussions with landowners who had not opted for LPS.He clarified that farmers whose lands were listed for acquisition could still choose land pooling within the stipulated time. He also appealed to villagers to cooperate with APCRDA, as infrastructure works in Amaravati were progressing rapidly.Villagers raised concerns over dust pollution caused by heavy vehicles transporting construction materials. Responding to this, the commissioner directed contractors to take immediate mitigation measures.He said special engineering teams would be constituted for each capital village to oversee infrastructure development and implementation of LPS works. Plans were also being prepared to improve basic amenities in the region, he added.The commissioner further advised farmers who had received returnable plots under LPS to complete registrations at the designated competent authority offices.CRDA additional commissioner Bhargava Teja, planning director B Suresh Kumar, director (lands) N Vasantha Rayudu, special deputy collectors P Madhusudhana Rao, G Ravinder and K Sudharani, along with other officials, attended the meeting.