Vizagites list expectations from corporators

VISAKHAPATNAM: With the Port City set to get a mayor and a deputy mayor, along with 98 elected corporators, one each for each ward under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) after a gap of 14 years, residents have put forth their expectations from their ward representatives.
From sustainable welfare and infrastructure development beyond petty politics to approachable and tech-savvy corporators, Vizagites listed out the civic issues they felt corporators should prioritise.
Retired professor of Andhra University ABSV Ranga Rao said, “With the city expanding in all directions and pressure of population increasing, addressing water scarcity every summer should be a priority. Focusing on rain water harvesting and the possibility of desalination of sea water should be explored. Besides, attention should be given to constructing better roads, footpaths and improving connectivity between far-flung areas, addressing parking problems and dog menace in various colonies. Of late, the city has slipped in the cleanliness index in urban surveys. Every effort should be taken to maintain the cleanliness of the sea beaches, roadsides and colonies with provision for proper garbage disposal.”
Elaborating on the kind of corporators that citizens would prefer, heritage activist and environmentalist Sohan Hatangadi said, “The corporator must have a clear understanding of city planning, human development, a healthy respect for the natural environment and the heritage of the city they live in. They must be patient listeners, should be reachable to citizens, proficient in stating their views in the assembly and to the GVMC in a crisp and clear manner. Every corporator must maintain a clear record of the ward’s issues on file and on their smartphones. They must talk to the stakeholders before suggesting any big infrastructure project and think beyond narrow party politics for the overall welfare of the citizens and city.”