Minister Pemmasani sets June deadlines for key ROB projects in Guntur

Guntur: Union minister of state for rural development and communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said that the govt is taking coordinated steps to accelerate the construction of railway overbridges (ROBs) and other railway infrastructure projects in the district. The minister reviewed the progress of various railway projects at a meeting held at the district collectorate along with district collector A Thameem Ansariya, municipal commissioner Mayur Ashok and mayor Kovelamudi Ravindra.Pemmasani directed officials to complete the foundation works of the Shankar Vilas ROB by June. He also instructed that the Nandivelugu ROB be completed and made ready for inauguration by the end of June. Since tenders for ROBs at Pedapalakaluru and Namburu were already finalised, officials were asked to take steps to commence construction work immediately. The minister said revised proposals for the Inner Ring Road ROB should be approved by March 31, and the tender process be completed soon after. Officials from the railways and municipal corporation were also asked to prepare land acquisition proposals for the Shyamala Nagar ROB through coordinated efforts.He further directed authorities to speed up construction of sanctioned ROBs at Nidamarru, Nehru Nagar, Yerrabalem and Nidubrolu. He asked the officials to take up construction of a drainage channel from Nehru Nagar to Manipuram bridge after clearing encroachments, in coordination with municipal and railway authorities, to address the problem of water stagnation near three-bridges during heavy rains.The minister said people currently living in encroached areas will be rehabilitated and provided houses in Tidco and housing layouts so that they are not inconvenienced. He also called for speeding up development works at railway stations in Guntur, Mangalagiri and Tenali under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.Speaking to reporters later, the minister said coordination meetings were held with officials from the railways, roads and buildings department, municipal authorities and contractors to resolve minor issues delaying the projects. He said permissions for fabrication works related to the Shankar Vilas bridge are expected to be cleared by March 15. Pemmasani added that proposals for a Vande Bharat train service to Tenali are currently pending with the railway board and efforts are underway to pursue the proposal. He emphasised that all departments are working together to ensure railway infrastructure projects in the Guntur region are completed at the earliest.