MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana laying foundation stone for development works at VRC Grounds in Nellore on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT
Andhra Pradesh Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) laid the foundation stone to revamp the VRC Grounds in the heart of Nellore city. The Minister, accompanied by his daughter Ponguru Sharani, said that as part of the works an open gym, a walking track, a swimming pool, shelters, and restrooms would be constructed with the aim of providing better facilities for students, walkers, and athletes.
He announced that the basketball court is also being modernised here. “The government is focusing on fostering sports talent among students alongside their academics,” he said. The Minister revealed that measures are being taken to establish swimming pools in government high schools where space is available.
The project is part of an initiative by the Minister to transform government schools in Nellore by upgrading existing institutions as well as developing new schools with state-of-the-art infrastructure, contemporary facilities, and international standards.
As part of this initiative, three government schools were already modernised and 15 are being developed in Nellore city constituency with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of ₹217 crore, while eight schools are being upgraded in Nellore Rural constituency with ₹33 crore, focussing on offering quality learning environments, and opportunities to students for their holistic growth.
Recently, Education Minister Nara Lokesh had inaugurated the modernised DSR Government School in Moolapet and RSR Government School in Stonehousepeta, upgraded with CSR funds of ₹13.41 crore and ₹8.30 crore respectively. Last year, V.R. Municipal High School was also renovated with ₹15 crore in CSR support.
Apart from these schools, Abdul Kalam International School is also being constructed at Parameswari Nagar on the land allotted by the A.P. Waqf Board. Conceived in honour of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the school is envisioned to provide free, international-standard education from kindergarten to class XII with CSR funds of ₹20 crore.
The Minister said, “Inspired by the successful redevelopment of DSR and RSR government schools, I would seek the support of friends, alumni, and high-ranking acquaintances to aid in the development of more schools. Our goal is to provide better education and sports facilities to students from underprivileged backgrounds.”
On Monday (October 5), Ms. Sharani had visited several municipal schools in the city and interacted with the students. She said that her father’s primary aspiration was to achieve true development through underprivileged students pursuing higher education and progressing in life. She revealed that he has taken the responsibility of the future of 50,000 students in 26 government schools in the city.
Published – October 06, 2026 06:55 pm IST
