Koneru Prasad: May 2014

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Women’s safety is my priority, says YSR Congress Koneru Rajendra Prasad

Vijayawada: YSR Congress candidate from Vijayawada parliamentary constituency, Koneru Rajendra Prasad, who was born, brought up and educated here, is passionate about improving infrastructure facilities in the city.

Expressing concern over the lack of development even after 40 years, Mr Prasad said he was committed to develop infrastructure in the city by constructing flyovers and diverting the two national highways passing through the city. In an exclusive interview to this newspaper he shared his views on the development of the city and his priorities.
Following are the excerpts:

Q: As a local person and one who studied here what are your priorities?

I have developed a Vision Vijayawada document with the help of experts in several fields. The flyovers at Kanaka Durga temple ghat road and at Benz circle should be completed on a war footing as they will provide great relief to commuters and ease traffic congestion in the city.

Q: You are new to politics and are contesting in elections for the first time. Do you have a specific agenda in mind?

Sure! Vijayawada city should be made a woman-friendly city by improving security for women. My priority is to see women move freely without fear. Police must be tough with eve-teasers and in women harassment cases. Empowerment of women is one of my priorities.

Q: Any plans to develop the drainage system in the city which is the one of the main concerns of the people?

The drainage system will be rectified and canals be made pollution free. The canals will be beautified and water transport will be introduced.

Koneru harps on city’s growth

Vijayawada is 30 years behind in terms of development and urban progress is the need of the hour. Its not just employment and industrial growth, the city needs to have basic amenities like safe drinking water, drainage system and better road network for achieving development, said Koneru Rajendra Prasad, YSRC candidate for Vijayawada Parliamentary Constituency here on Saturday.

Generally, when three canals pass through the city it is considered to be an asset but for Vijayawada, it appears, to have turned out to be a liability. Many drainage outlets are connected to these canals which cater to the drinking water and irrigation requirements in rural areas of the city, and this needs to be addressed, he said while addressing the Meet the Press programme organised by A.P. Union of Working Journalists here.

With two highways passing through the city, many vehicles, especially trucks and buses shuttle across the city.

Everyday 60,000 vehicles pass along Benz Circle and this not only increases pollution but poses a risk to students. There is a need to construct flyovers, including one at Kanakadurga temple and an elevated expressway, which helps in avoiding movement of trucks and buses on the city roads, he said.

Pending projects

“Many urban projects like Outer Ring road, Gunadala flyover have been pending since many years. ORR is designed as a four-lane project but I feel it needs to be upgraded into an eight-lane freeway. I promise to complete these projects,” assured Mr. Prasad.

“There is a need to construct flyovers, including one at Kanakadurga temple and an elevated expressway, which helps in avoiding movement of trucks and buses on the city roads”