New APTIDCO chairman plans to make Allipuram a model colony

Within a month of assuming charge as chairman of Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APTIDCO), Vemulapati Ajay Kumar has moved to improve TIDCO housing colonies across the State. He is planning to develop the housing society at Allipuram in SPSR Nellore district into a model colony.

Having over 11,000 units, Allipuram’s is the second biggest housing society in the two Telugu States, next only to Kukatpally in Hyderabad. Though 80% of the houses have already been built, not even 2,000 houses are occupied by beneficiaries. However, numerous unauthorised shops, saloons and other commercial units are being run there, according to sources.

As for the society in Venkateswarapuram, 70-80% of the construction has been completed, and a park is also being developed in the colony at a budget of ₹1 crore. However, almost 100 ankanams (800 square yards) of land at phase 1 of the housing colony was allegedly encroached for the construction of a religious building without any permission, according to a source.

On learning about this illegal construction, Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader Nune Mallikarjun Yadav alerted the TIDCO chairman, who discussed the matter with Minister for AP Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Ponguru Narayana and directed the officials to remove it.

In a joint operation by APTIDCO, police officials and municipal workers, the wall of the illegal building was demolished on Wednesday (November 27). Mr. Ajay Kumar also warned that strict action will be taken if anyone encroaches upon the vacant land in TIDCO housing societies.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said it was local gangs with political backing that constructed some buildings in Venkateswarapuram housing colony. The government will allocate suitable land for religious places like church or mosque if they seek permission, but encroachment of the vacant land in the colony cannot be allowed, he added.

“I also met the Home Minister recently to improve security at TIDCO housing societies. A problem with these colonies is low occupancy. As many houses are lying vacant, they either get damaged or attract anti-social elements. Out of 20,000 houses in Nellore district, not even 20% have been occupied by the beneficiaries,” he said.

As per the guidelines, any residential colony with a population of over 40,000 must have a police station and a colony with over 10,000 people must have a police outpost, said Mr. Ajay Kumar.

The APTIDCO chairman said he has urged the Home Minister to cover all the housing societies with CCTV camera surveillance and requested the use drones to prevent any unauthorised activities.

Published - November 28, 2024 09:43 pm IST