Andhra Pradesh municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana on Monday expressed strong displeasure over delays in construction works in the capital city of Amaravati and warned contractors of strict action if deadlines are not met.
During his inspection tour of the capital region, the minister reviewed ongoing works at Nelapadu, including the construction of Gazetted Officers’ quarters, Group-D employees’ housing, and other infrastructure projects.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work at the ground level, Narayana told representatives of contracting agencies that they could “leave the project” if they were unable to complete works within the stipulated timeframe.
The Minister came down heavily on Shapoorji Pallonji Group, alleging lack of performance in prestigious capital development works.
In a move that created a stir, he directed officials to immediately remove two representatives of the company for failing to meet project targets.
“The government will now firmly demand accountability. Bricks must be laid within the prescribed deadlines,” he warned.
Narayana further instructed the company’s management to offer an explanation to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu regarding the delays.
He directed officials and contractors to ensure that all works in the capital are completed swiftly without compromising on quality.
In an interesting revelation, Narayana stated that even his own 60 cents of land, purchased in 2001 near Edupugallu close to Vijayawada, falls under the alignment of the proposed Amaravati Inner Ring Road, against which the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government filed cases, including against him.
“When our people went to construct a building on our land, CRDA officials told them that the land no longer exists as it falls under the Inner Ring Road alignment. Yet, during the previous regime, baseless allegations were made against me,” he said, adding that since the matter is currently before a court, he would refrain from further comment.
