Development of city halts due to Covid-19 pandemic

Aurangabad, June 9:

The development of the city has come to a standstill for the last one and a half years due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), due to its first priority to safeguard the health of citizens, could not undertake or launch major development works during this period. Now, the state government has unlocked the situation, therefore, a ray of hope has emerged that the pending projects would gain momentum, soon.

Six fuel pumps in the city

One and a half years ago, the AMC decided to generate income sources by constructing six fuel pumps in different parts of the city, on its properties. Of which, the AMC succeeded in completing only one pump at the old Central Octroi Checkpost. The remaining five fuel pumps are still under pipeline.

Safari Park in limbo

The AMC has proposed to develop Wildlife Safari Park on 150 acres of land at Mitmita. The project has been included in Smart City Project and the estimated cost is Rs 250 crore. It will be funded by the Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL). The AMC has floated the tender to protect the land through the construction of a compound wall on it, but the work is going on at a snail's pace. Earlier, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had granted tentative permission to the AMC's zoo at Siddharth Garden on the condition that it will be shifted on spacious land.

Garbage plant at Harsul delays

The project is pending due to the non-allotment of land by revenue administration for setting up the garbage processing plant of 150 metric tones capacity for the past year. Presently, the garbage processing load is upon two plants at Chikalthana and Padegaon (150 MT each). The city generates more than 400 MT garbage daily, out of which, more than 100 MT garbage is lying unprocessed daily due to delay in starting of Harsul plant. The AMC has also failed to start a concrete block manufacturing project at Ramanagar.

152 crore roads lying incomplete

The state government, during the last year, granted an aid of Rs 152 crore for the construction of roads in the jurisdiction of the AMC. These road works were started by AMC, MIDC, and MSRDC. However, the construction of many of the roads is lying incomplete. For eg: the road in front of the district collectorate, Madani Chowk to old Octroi Checkpost, Harsul to Sai Medicity, etc are lying incomplete due to land acquisition issues. There is less possibility that these works will be completed by December-end. Meanwhile, the AMC could not even start the construction of roads of valuing Rs 50 crore from its reserve fund.

Public toilets on cards

The population of the city is increasing each year. Compare to it, the strength of public toilets is very less. The AMC had decided to start five dedicated toilets for women. Of which, only two had been completed - Aurangpura and Maqbara road. Besides, six months ago, the AMC had announced starting temporary toilets for men and women at 100 different places. The plastic-frame toilets were also inspected, but it remained only on papers.