Hans News Service Vijayawada

TheCommunist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to ensure balanced development of Vijayawada, Guntur, and the entire Capital Region along with Amaravati, warning that public protests would be launched if the alleged neglect of the CRDA region continues.

Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada, CPM State Secretariat member Ch Babu Rao, accompanied by State Committee member D Kasinath, welcomed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s statement that Amaravati, Vijayawada, Guntur, and the 29 capital villages should be developed together as the state capital.

Babu Rao said the CRDA region, spread across 8,600 sq km with 56 mandals, over 1,100 villages, 10 towns, two municipal corporations, and a population exceeding 70 lakh, has witnessed little development despite master plans being prepared in 2015. He questioned why the government was proposing to spend nearly Rs 1 lakh crore on Amaravati while failing to allocate adequate funds for Vijayawada, Guntur, and other CRDA areas.

He demanded that at least 50 per cent of the capital development funds be earmarked for the overall development of the CRDA region.

City leaders Boyi Satyababu, B Ramana Rao, and P Krishna were also present.