Efforts being made by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) to make it open defecation-free (ODF) has shown its results, as the Central government has declared Vijayawada as Open Defecation Free (ODF) and given the ODF status. After the inspection of the central team of September 19th and 20th, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (WMC) has been declared opem defecation free (ODF) city under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Vijayawada city became the first municipal corporation in the State after Tadipatri municipality to get the status.

The Swatch Bharat Mission certificate will be presented to VMC at a programme to be organised at VMC council hall on Thursday.

VMC has built l,519 individual toilets in all 59 divisions, 245 community toilets at 20 places, 337 public toilets at 49 places and 423 toilets in 104 schools. Buoyed by the response for Namma toilets, the VMC has proposed to build 102 Namma toilets, of them the construction of 65 toilets was completed till now. Namma toilets, which were established at Pandit Nehru Bus station, Raghavaiah Park, Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium and some other places, evokes good response from citizens.

As part of creating awareness among the public on open defecation-free city initiative, the VMC has been conducting slew of programmes with the participation of public representatives, students and social activists.

The corporation has identified 20 open defecation places in the city and put signboards and deputed staff to create awareness among people.

The Central Park which is recently inaugurated by chief minister in Vizag, has India’s tallest musical fountain. This is designed, developed and installed by Orient Fountains of China at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore.

The fountain jets water to a height of 40 to 50 meters, with a pleasant music in the background. Oscillating vertically at 360 degrees, the fountain dances to the tune of digital music in different colours. This musical foundation is build in a area of 800 square meters. The fountain in all will showcase 64 events. The overall play time of this is around 45 minutes.

The fountain beats the Gujarat Science City musical fountain, which goes up to a height of 30 meters only. Vuda is planning to organise four such shows in the first phase charging a modest price of Rs 25.

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Command and Control Centre in Vijayawada, is renamed as Command and Communications Centre from now.

Speaking at the ongoing Collectors' Conference, the Chief Minister said that collectors, have to be alert when alerts on climate change are sounded. Appreciating the work of collectors in taking measures to tackle drought, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the government's response and innovative use of rains guns and sprinkler systems has helped save crops in the Rayalaseema region.

He also appreciated the administration for their role in implementing power sector reforms, improving irrigation and ground water level in the state. However, the Chief Minister said that the government will now focus on increasing the growth state to 15%.

Later, the Chief Minister also took a decision of renaming the Command and Control Centre as Command and Communications Centre.

Chandrababu addressed the Collectors of all districts in Andhra Pradesh, at a conference at Vijayawada.

While talking about the working style, he said to collectors that "Don’t sit 24hrs in the office rooms. Your mind will break and it will impact your work. Relax for every 2 hrs. Enjoy one day in a week with your family, by having lunch outside. Relaxation is very important." he said.

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