Funds released for development of Guntur misused: Pemmasani

Development work in Guntur city has stalled due to the diversion and misuse of funds received from the Centre and World Bank by the previous government, alleged Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communication, Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar.
Dr Chandrasekhar held a review meeting at the Collectorate in Guntur with local MLAs Naseer Ahmed, Galla Madhavi, and Boorla Ramanjaneyulu regarding development projects under the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) on Sunday. Guntur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Keerthi Chekuri, along with GMC Engineering, Public Health officials, and TIDCO officials, attended the review meeting.
The minister accused the previous government of diverting hundreds of crores of rupees allocated for essential services like drinking water supply, underground drainage, and road construction. He suggested focusing on alternative means of raising funds to complete the pending works.
The MLAs assured that the unfinished works would be resumed and that minimum facilities would be provided to the residents.
Dr Chandrasekhar highlighted significant issues within the Guntur Municipal Corporation, particularly concerning drinking water and underground drainage. He stated that although central government and World Bank funds had been provided for these projects, the previous government diverted the funds, causing contractors to lose faith and halt many works at various stages. With the current lack of funds, he emphasised the urgency of finding alternative funding to prevent a two- or three-year delay in these critical projects.
The Union Minister mentioned that the stalled projects have been identified and that the GMC Commissioner will prepare new Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
He also stressed the importance of cooperation from the mayor and councillors of Guntur municipality to facilitate the development work. He assured that steps would be taken to address the drinking water supply and underground drainage construction in Guntur city as soon as possible.