Paved roads, 24x7 water: MP Tendulkar scripts new innings for Andhra village | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Paved roads, 24x7 water: MP Tendulkar scripts new innings for Andhra village

Hindustan Times | By, Puttam Rajuvari Kandriga (nellore)
Aug 24, 2016 06:27 PM IST

Sachin Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, adopted Puttam Rajuvari Kandriga hamlet under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (Sagy) in October 2014

The roads are cemented and wide. Pavements are tiled. Underground drains backed by a treatment plant keep the stink away. Water and electricity are available 24x7. And, it is not a smart city in the making.

Sachin Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, adopted Puttam Rajuvari Kandriga hamlet under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (Sagy) in October 2014.(HT photo)
Sachin Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, adopted Puttam Rajuvari Kandriga hamlet under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (Sagy) in October 2014.(HT photo)

Puttam Rajuvari Kandriga is a small village of 150 households in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal district of Nellore.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The transformation of PR Kandriga from a dusty hamlet to a swanky modern village is writ large next to the front doors of its 150 homes: an image of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with the house number.

Tendulkar, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, adopted the hamlet under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (Sagy) in October 2014. Over the next few months, PR Kandriga got facilities that even cities struggle to have.

“We never dreamt of these facilities before the young MP visited this village on November 16, 2014. It has given a modern look to our village,” village sarpanch Bujji Nageshwara Rao told HT.

A school in the village (HT Photo)
A school in the village (HT Photo)

A rural development plan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2014, Sagy requires all members of Parliament to develop – socially as well as economically -- three rural areas into model villages by 2019.

PR Kandriga is well on its way to being one.

Wide concrete roads with tiled pavements lead to the village, where electric poles line the streets. Unlike neighbouring villages, drains don’t overflow -- the drainage system is underground. Water is safe for drinking and taps don’t run dry here, a common problem in the area.

Tendulkar has given a grant of around Rs 4 crore and Nellore administration matched his first contribution with Rs 2.90 crore aid.

Homes in the village sport a name plate with Sachin’s picture. (HT Photo)
Homes in the village sport a name plate with Sachin’s picture. (HT Photo)

Though there is no separate budgetary allocation under Sagy but members of Parliament can channelise money through around 21 ongoing development schemes.

The money seems to have been put to good use. A spacious community hall that can accommodate at least 1,000 people has come up close to the village entrance.

Behind the hall is a big playground built next to a modern kitchen and dining hall for the primary school. The school has an e-toilet -- a self-cleaning facility – and a separate restroom for girls.

The wide, cemented roads with tiled pavements on both sides. (HT Photo)
The wide, cemented roads with tiled pavements on both sides. (HT Photo)

But, like Tendulkar’s legendary hunger for runs, villagers want more.

“We continue to work as agriculture labourers despite having all modern amenities,” said Arunamma, who is looking for better employment.

The village school has 32 students and they have their mid-day meal on the premises. The modern kitchen and dining hall were of little use to them, N Masthanaiah, a teacher, said.

Sarpanch Rao wants a high school so that the children don’t leave the village to join higher classes. “The community hall can be used as the school building. We don’t want our children to become labourers like us,” he said.

An e-toilet in the village. (HT Photo)
An e-toilet in the village. (HT Photo)

For PR Kandriga to develop, villagers should have better means to earn a living. “We are asking for a tailoring centre and a pickle-making unit for providing employment to women,” Rao said.

The district administration agrees. They would now focus on improving the social indicators by providing health, education and employment facilities, Nellore joint collector A Md Imtiaz said.

Tendulkar and PR Kandriga look set for a long fruitful innings.

PR Kandriga: A hamlet of Nernur gram panchayat of Gudur block

Total population: 465 -- around 200 SCs and 100 STs

MP Sachin Tendulkar adopted the village on October 16, 2014 and visited on November 14, 2014

Grant from Sachin under SAGY: Rs 2.79 crore
Grant from Nellore district administration: Rs 2.90 crore

Expenditure on cement roads and storm water drains: Rs 1.70 crore
Expenditure on drinking water and sanitation: Rs 90 lakh
Expenditure on uninterrupted power supply: Rs 30 lakh

Remaining amount was spent on construction of community hall, arch, kitchen and dining hall, Anganwadi centre, toilets in schools, development of playground, modernisation of village tank for taking up fish culture, etc.

Sachin released another Rs 90 lakh recently under SAGY for Nernur gram panchayat

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On