One lakh TIDCO houses to be handed over on Ugadi, says Minister Narayana

Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana announced in the State Legislative Assembly that one lakh houses under the TIDCO housing scheme will be handed over to beneficiaries on the upcoming Ugadi festival. Participating in the discussion on budget demands for his department, the minister said the government is working with a clear plan to complete pending housing projects and improve urban infrastructure across the state.

Narayana said the government is determined to complete the remaining TIDCO houses by June this year, adding that the previous government had significantly slowed down the project. He alleged that although approvals were secured for about seven lakh houses between 2014 and 2019, and construction began on 3.8 lakh units, the subsequent administration reduced the number to 2.61 lakh and failed to complete them. The current government has arranged funds through HUDCO loans to resume construction and ensure that the long-pending houses reach beneficiaries.

The minister also outlined the government’s broader urban development agenda, stating that safe drinking water will be provided to all residents of the state by 2028. At present, around 38.48 lakh household connections supply about 2,100 MLD of drinking water, while additional connections are planned to meet the total demand.

Highlighting sanitation initiatives, Narayana said the government is taking steps to clear 153 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste accumulated in urban areas. So far, 85 lakh tonnes have already been removed, and the remaining waste will be cleared by June. He added that the state is expanding waste-to-energy projects, with new plants planned in several cities to convert a major portion of urban waste into electricity.

The minister further stated that the coalition government has revived the Anna Canteen scheme, which now operates 204 centres serving about 2.25 lakh people daily at an affordable cost. He also reiterated that the government aims to complete major infrastructure works in Amaravati within three years, while pursuing metro rail projects for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada to strengthen urban transport.