VMC proposes increase in wards from 64 to 86

Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has published the draft notification of the ward delimitation, enhancing the total number of wards from the present 64 wards to 86 wards across three circles under VMC limits on Monday. According to the draft notification, six new wards will be added in Circle 1, while seven new wards will be added in Circle II and Circle III, taking the total number of wards in Circle I from the existing 22 wards to 28 and 21 wards to 29 wards each in Circle II and Circle III jurisdictions.“In pursuance of the provisions of Rule 8 of the AP Municipal Corporation (Delimitation of Wards) Rules, 1996, issued by the government in GO MS No 570 read with GO MS No 65, the VMC has been divided into 86 wards. The residents of Vijayawada area are allowed to file suggestions or objections if any to the municipal commissioner within seven days i.e., by May 24,” the draft proposal notification read.A look at the draft proposal indicates that while the thickly populated wards in the Central constituency have been bifurcated and new wards have been formed, the larger wards in terms of area such as Kandrika, AS Nagar and other areas within the Central constituency wherein the population is less saw minimal rise in the wards when compared to those wards along MG Road.Further, the ward delimitation has been done in such a way that each ward has around 8,500 to 10,000 voters while earlier the bigger wards had around 15,000 voters.“Previously, the number of wards was increased from 59 wards to 64 wards. Now, the 64 wards are being raised to 86 wards. An increase in wards should ensure better civic administration and enhanced civic services to citizens. However, the development has taken a back seat in the newly formed wards, with development limited to only those wards surrounding MG Road and other areas instead of ensuring overall development of all wards,” Taxpayers Association of Vijayawada president MV Anjanayulu said.