YSRCP Mayor candidate vows to better water supply, civic services - The HinduPublished - October 31, 2026 12:06 am IST - VISAKHAPATNAMYSRCP mayoral candidate Varudu Kalyani carries a traditional ‘kalasam’ during her election campaign at the Durgalamma temple in One Town area of Visakhapatnam on Friday. | Photo Credit: V RAJUYSR Congress Party (YSRCP) mayoral candidate Varudu Kalyani said that providing a permanent solution to the city's drinking water problem would be among her foremost commitments if elected.Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Friday along with YSRCP regional coordinator Kurasala Kannababu, former Minister Gudivada Amarnath and other party leaders, Ms. Kalyani promised to, improve public health services, protect the environment and formulate a comprehensive plan for developing parks and sports facilities.She said that the interests of small traders operating along roadsides and footpaths would be protected. Measures would be taken to improve municipal services so that people would not have to make repeated visits to government offices even for minor civic works.She also promised to focus on developing basic infrastructure in the peripheral areas recently merged with the GVMC limits and give priority to protecting the city's heritage and cultural identity.Ms. Kalyani claimed that the previous YSRCP government had extended welfare benefits worth nearly ₹6,000 crore to people in the city and undertaken development works worth ₹2,500 crore.She said the party had a special vision for the city's development and would take it forward if given another opportunity. Claiming that the YSRCP was receiving an encouraging response from people during the campaign, she said the public's reaction reflected growing dissatisfaction with the NDA government.Alleging that the coalition government had failed to fulfil its promises over the past 30 months, Ms Kalyani accused it of neglecting Visakhapatnam's development.Ms. Kalyani criticised the NDA parties' election manifesto, saying it had failed to address several important issues concerning Visakhapatnam.She said people had expected clarity on allegations relating to encroachment of lands belonging to GITAM institutions, measures to prevent environmental degradation, and the government's stand on stopping the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. However, the manifesto had failed to provide concrete assurances on these issues, she alleged.She also pointed out that the manifesto had not outlined a permanent solution to the drinking water crisis that had been affecting the city for the past six months. She questioned the coalition government's silence on the allotment of valuable government lands to private entities under the 99-paise and one-rupee lease arrangements.Published - October 31, 2026 12:06 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }