A renewed phase of infrastructure development has begun in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh as the state leadership initiates time-bound public works with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and urban liveability.
A high-level state official conducted a field-level review of key urban infrastructure projects on Saturday, announcing fresh allocations and tight deadlines, while engaging directly with residents and ground-level stakeholders. The visit, which began at the regional Orvakal Airport, marked the onset of a day-long inspection tour aimed at assessing the readiness of civic facilities, particularly those that support agricultural commerce and public recreation. The official’s itinerary included a visit to the C Camp Rythu Bazaar, one of the district’s main agri-produce markets serving thousands of local farmers and urban households.
During interactions with vendors and consumers, the state official sanctioned ₹6 crore for a major upgrade of the Rythu Bazaar infrastructure. The fund allocation will support the expansion of the marketplace to accommodate growing footfalls while integrating essential urban amenities such as structured vehicle parking and a government-subsidised food canteen under the Anna Canteen scheme. These additions are intended to ensure accessibility, convenience, and food security, particularly for low-income communities. A senior official from the State Department of Urban Development accompanying the tour expressed confidence that the expanded market facility would ease congestion, promote better hygiene standards, and improve vendor livelihoods. The redevelopment is to be completed within a 12-month deadline, with clear accountability mechanisms in place for contractors and municipal teams.
Urban policy experts have highlighted the significance of such civic market upgrades in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. “Modernisation of public marketplaces plays a pivotal role in strengthening urban food systems while providing social infrastructure that supports both economic activity and equitable access,” noted a planning consultant associated with the state’s infrastructure mission. As part of the same review tour, the official proceeded to Dhanalakshmi Nagar, a rapidly urbanising locality near a Kendriya Vidyalaya campus, to lay the foundation for a green public space under the ‘Swarna Andhra – Swachha Andhra’ mission. This project, funded under a ₹50 lakh Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant from a regional industrial enterprise, will see the development of a multi-use public park spread over 67 cents of land.
The upcoming park has been envisioned as a climate-resilient, community-focused recreational zone that brings together clean energy and inclusive design. It will feature solar-powered lighting infrastructure, fitness stations, open multipurpose lawns, senior citizen seating areas, children’s play equipment, walking tracks, and gravel beds designed for low-maintenance landscaping. Experts in urban sustainability see this initiative as part of a growing shift toward “people-first” city planning. “We’re seeing a welcome pivot in policy where parks and open spaces are no longer cosmetic additions but are integral to the environmental, mental, and social wellbeing of citizens,” said a Hyderabad-based environmental design consultant.
The official issued instructions for the project to be executed within a sharp two-month timeline and directed local authorities to ensure round-the-clock safety and maintenance, including the installation of boundary gates to restrict access during late hours and prevent misuse. This emphasis on supervision and civic stewardship aims to protect the park from becoming a neglected public asset, a common risk associated with poorly maintained public infrastructure. According to a district-level planner present at the review, the development of the Swachha Andhra park would follow green building norms and principles of universal access. “The idea is to ensure that all sections of society — from children and elderly citizens to people with disabilities — can engage meaningfully with the space,” the official explained.
The move to fast-track both the Rythu Bazaar and park development fits within a broader governance framework that focuses on clean, equitable, and resilient urbanisation. Kurnool, like many fast-growing cities in Andhra Pradesh, faces challenges associated with migration, haphazard urban sprawl, and gaps in public service delivery. Civic officials say that these infrastructure projects aim to bridge some of those gaps through efficient delivery models and convergence of state funds, CSR contributions, and community oversight. On the ground, the response to these announcements has been largely positive. Several residents who participated in the public interactions said that timely execution of these projects would substantially improve quality of life, especially for those in peri-urban and low-income settlements. A local vendor operating at the Rythu Bazaar said that designated parking facilities and modern stalls would reduce overcrowding and enhance sales. “Right now, there’s not enough space, and the roads get choked. If the new market is well-planned, it will help both sellers and buyers,” the vendor said.
Urban governance analysts believe that Andhra Pradesh’s renewed focus on tangible, human-centric infrastructure marks a return to basics — where the government’s role in providing core services like markets, parks, and canteens takes centre stage. What sets this effort apart is the emphasis on integrated design — where parking, food access, climate action, and public safety are not treated as separate silos but as interlinked priorities. Environmentalists have also welcomed the prioritisation of solar lighting and gravel-based landscaping in the park’s design. These features reduce operational costs, promote sustainable water use, and reduce dependency on fossil fuels — aligning well with India’s broader commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With municipal officials now under directive to adhere to firm timelines, the success of these projects could serve as a benchmark for similar urban interventions across Andhra Pradesh. If delivered as promised, the Kurnool model could inform state-level policy on how mid-sized cities can rapidly adopt low-carbon, citizen-friendly infrastructure without incurring excessive costs or delays. As execution begins in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the implementation capacity of district-level agencies. Civil society organisations and planning experts alike stress the importance of post-completion maintenance, citizen participation, and independent audits to ensure that the intended benefits are realised sustainably.
While the road to urban transformation is long and often complicated by competing interests and limited resources, the developments in Kurnool represent a meaningful step forward in decentralised, sustainable, and equitable urban planning. Whether this momentum can be maintained across the state remains to be seen—but for now, the people of Kurnool have been promised a greener and more inclusive civic future
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