Opposition, unions criticise GVMCs Operation Lungs 2.0; residents and associations again decongestion drive

Opposition events, staff’ unions, and Left activists have strongly condemned the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s (GVMC) ongoing Operation Lungs 2.0 (Life to Urban Green Spaces), below which roadside distributors and small retailers are being cleared as encroachments from footpaths and public areas.

Political representatives questioned how the civic physique might proceed with the drive with out first offering correct merchandising zones for these depending on road commerce.

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) district president Ok.Ok. Raju alleged that the train was a “pre-planned conspiracy” by NDA leaders, carried out whereas MLAs had been in Assembly classes and corporators had been away on a examine tour. He stated distributors got no prior discover earlier than their stalls had been dismantled.

Congress district president A. Venkata Varma Raju introduced that his celebration would be part of staff to stage protests. He stated the operation had disrupted the livelihoods of practically 50,000 households depending on meals vehicles, pushcarts, and roadside retailers.

Members of the Hawkers Welfare Union from Gajuwaka, Maddilapalem, Madhurawada, and different areas met to debate the fallout. They stated the timing—simply forward of the festive Dasara season, when earnings often peak—had left many distributors in monetary misery.

According to GVMC sources, the operation has triggered unease inside the NDA as effectively. Some Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena Party (JSP) corporators reportedly conveyed their displeasure to the Mayor and Commissioner, warning that the transfer might injury the State authorities’s picture. Visakhapatnam South MLA Ch. Vamsikrishna Srinivas additionally objected to the removing of the Night Food Court at Old Jail Road, assuring distributors he would escalate the matter to greater authorities and push for fast alternate options.

Public response to the civic initiative has been blended. Many residents welcomed the transfer, saying it might decongest roads and restore footpaths, whereas others voiced concern over the eviction of small merchants with out merchandising zones. Some additionally careworn the significance of getting an evening meals courtroom in a rising metropolis like Visakhapatnam.

Supporting GVMC, the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Resident Welfare Associations (APFERWAS) stated the drive would assist ease site visitors congestion and reclaim public areas. “We earnestly hope that this initiative continues towards a everlasting answer. Measures like these will improve town’s picture, which is ready for an enormous leap ahead in attracting investments,” stated president Uday Shirname and affiliate president Ok.S.R. Murthy. They, nonetheless, emphasised the necessity to earmark merchandising zones to rehabilitate displaced distributors.

GVMC officers stated plans to create designated merchandising areas for hawkers had been already underway.