Andhra Pradesh allocates ₹10,200 crore for safe drinking water in urban local bodies
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a major allocation of ₹10,200 crore to establish safe drinking water facilities across 123 municipalities in the State. The initiative is part of a broader urban infrastructure overhaul aimed at improving essential civic amenities.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana, while reviewing development works at the VMRDA meeting hall in Visakhapatnam, said the administration is prioritising roads, protected water supply, drainage networks, street lighting, and underground drainage systems. The Minister was accompanied by local legislators during the review.
A significant portion of the drinking water projects will be funded under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme and other initiatives. The funds will be used to build pipeline networks and deliver treated water to every household in urban areas.
In addition to the water supply allocation, the State government has sanctioned ₹5,500 crore for the construction and repair of roads within municipal limits. Another ₹4,200 crore has been allocated under the Urban Challenge Fund to accelerate underground drainage projects across the State, the Minister added.
Mr. Narayana also criticised the previous government for allegedly diverting local body revenues, imposing levies on solid waste management, and accumulating large debts. He stated that the current government is clearing legacy waste backlogs and reviving waste-to-energy initiatives to address long-standing civic issues.
Local representatives, including MLAs Sundarapu Vijay Kumar and Lokam Naga Madhavi, took part in the review to assess progress in Visakhapatnam, Elamanchili, Narsipatnam, and Nellimarla. Officials confirmed that the comprehensive infrastructure upgrades are targeted for completion within the year, with an aim to ensure long-term civic sustainability across the State's urban centres.
