Unplanned urbanization leaves no land for public amenities in three vijayawada villages

Vijayawada: Three villages that became integral parts of Vijayawada city long ago — Ramavarappadu, Prasadampadu, and Enikepadu — now stand as examples of how urban planning should not be done. Though they developed as extensions of the city, administration remained under local panchayats, resulting in unplanned growth. The outcome: not even five cents of land is available for setting up a medical centre in any of the villages.Together, the three villages cover 2,612 acres. Planned development should have reserved at least 200 acres for community use — hospitals, parks, and public facilities. Instead, chaotic urbanisation under the panchayat system left no space for common amenities.Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkat Rao said he could not find even five cents of land to establish a clinic. He noted that Ramavarappadu requires two 33Kv substations but space exists for only one, despite sanctions. "It is astonishing to see that no land is available in three villages. Even if it was unplanned, the panchayat should have retained some land. No one knows what happened to govt land," he said.Rao argued that the villages should have been merged into the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) long ago. Under municipal planning rules, land would have been reserved for public use. Instead, unauthorised development under sarpanches left no space for government facilities.Ironically, these villages lack tapped drinking water despite being on the banks of the Krishna River. VMC supplies water only up to Currency Nagar, while the stretch to Nidamanuru — considered part of Vijayawada — has no drinking water facilities. Groundwater here is not potable, with TDS levels as high as 3,000 against the standard 250.Rao further alleged misappropriation of panchayat funds. In Ramavarappadu alone, ₹4.7 crore went missing, yet higher officials have not acted. "I sought an enquiry into common lands and misappropriation of funds, but there has been no action till today," he said.