The 4,500-odd residents of Chepalauppada Gram Panchayat, who were hit hard by cyclone Hudhud in October last, are set to see a sea change in their lives with their village selected to be a model village.
The village, which was adopted by Union Minister for Urban Development, Poverty Alleviation, and Parliamentary Affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu during one of his visits in the aftermath of the cyclone, will be provided safe drinking water, BT roads, and would become a litter-free village with the help of Swarna Bharati Trust of Nellore.
While a number of works are being taken up under different government schemes, some works are being taken up by the trust with funding from different corporates under the CSR scheme.
Unveiling the plaque to mark the commencement of works in the village, the Minister said that the works were identified by the district administration and a team headed by former psychology professor Ashok Atluri in consultation with residents.
There is a need to provide safe drinking water to all residents of the six habitations under the gram panchayat — Pedda Uppada, Chinna Uppada, Chapala Dibbadipalem, Kotturu, Chukkavanipalem, and Pukkilapalem.
This can be done by linking the GVMC water line that passes by. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 1.3 crore and it is not covered under any government scheme.
The Swarna Bharati Trust convinced managing director of Sri City Sanareddy Ravindra to foot the bill. Similarly, Vijay Madani of Vizianagaram has given Rs. 25 lakh for undertaking repairs to a school building.
A cyclone shelter is being built as a multipurpose facility at a cost of Rs. 1.1 crore, for which there is a shortfall of Rs. 30 lakh.
Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, as MP from Karnataka, has allocated Rs. 25 lakh, and the balance is being raised by the trust from philanthropists.
A number of other works were being taken up under different government schemes, he added.
With Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu adopting the gram panchayat post-Hudhud, villagers of six habitations hope to witness a sea change in their living standard
