Officials Prefer Capital in VGTM-UDA Area

By Express News Service

Published: 25th May 2014 12:14 PM

Last Updated: 25th May 2014 12:14 PM

HYDERABAD: Even as officials are favourably disposed to locating the capital in the limits of Vijayawada-Guntur-Mangalagiri-Tenali Urban Development Authority (VGTM-UDA) for the residuary Andhra Pradesh, the Union ministry of home affairs (Centre-States Division) acknowledged the public responses on the subject.
The ministry said on Saturday that the expert committee headed by Sivaramakrishnan invited suggestions for new capital from the public on May 7. “In response to MHA’s advertisement on the website, a large number of e-mails and letters have been received. On behalf of the expert committee, the ministry of home affairs hereby acknowledges the receipt of suggestions from all such members of the public and organisations who have responded with their feedback to help the committee in its endeavour,” a release from MHA said.
Meanwhile, the state-level committee feels that it will be ideal to set up the capital anywhere within the jurisdiction of VGTM-UDA which can be developed like the Hyderabad Metro Development Authority.
According to official sources, VGTM-UDA comprises the municipal corporations of Vijayawada and Guntur; municipalities of Tenali, Mangalagiri, Gudivada, Nuzividu, Tadepalli, Ponnuru and Sattenapalli;  Vuyyuru and Nandigama nagara panchayats; and 820 villages encompassing an area of 7,068.17 sq.km. The HMDA area is 7,250 sq km. The VGTM UDA can also be developed on the lines of HMDA as the jurisdiction is more or less same.
AP, T RTCs Exempted from Permits
Hyderabad: The State Road Transport Corporation buses of both the successor states _ Telangana and AP _ will move freely between the two states for one year without any agreement. Governor ESL Narasimhan accorded permission for validity of existing permits of APSRTC buses providing free movement between the two successor states of AP and T. This will continue for a period of one year or till an agreement is reached between AP and T. As per rules, an agreement is required between two states for running inter-state bus services from one state to the other. This will be exempted now for one year. As of now, around 1,500 buses are plying between Telangana and AP and vice versa. If the both the states issue inter-state permits,  passengers have to shell out more money towards fare to reach the other state.
State Govt Officials for Delhi Tomorrow
The State government officials will go to Delhi on May 26 to submit the list of employees to be allocated between AP and Telangana states. The officials will meet the DoPT officials in Delhi. Though, the officials have decided to send the list on Saturday, the work was not completed till late in the night. As the work was delayed, the officials have decided to personally meet the DoPT officials on May 26 and 27. The DoPT may issue orders allocating the employees between AP and T, sources said.