World class convention centre in Visakhapatnam soon

Visakhapatnam: The state government has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to develop an international convention centre along the lines of Hyderabad’s Hitex in Vizag near RK Beach at a cost of Rs 756 crore while appointing a committee for the same. The APIIC will develop the land measuring 14.5 acres through private players while the Infrastructure Corporation of AP (INCAP) will act as the Transaction Adviser on behalf of APIIC for developing the project, structuring and selection of private partners through a transpare-nt bidding process with assistance from in-house retainer consultants.

This project will be im-plemented by the Energy, Infrastructure and Investment Department. Bids for it will close on March 31. The last two partnership summits were held at the same site of 10 acres land that would now be transformed into convention halls. “Vizag is endowed with scenic beaches and li-es close to Araku Valley Hills and the Buddhist Circuit that offer significant tourism potential. The place is an attractive locale to be a base for a convention centre. As per the AP Tourism Mission, Visakhapatnam district has 39 tourist spots which is the highest amongst all districts,” said an INCAP official.

The land in possession of APIIC is around 10.65 acres while the remaining about 3.5 acres is ow-ned by a private entity. A committee has been formed to negotiate with the private land owner in a bid to swap/exchange that land. Vizag district collector will be the chairman of the committee that will negotiate with the private land owner. APIIC vice-chairman and managing director will be the member-convenor of the committee and GVMC commissioner, Vuda vice-chairman, district joint-collector will be members. The project will have an international convention cum exhibition centre, five-star hotel, and a mega commercial complex

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The proposed convention centre will have:

5,000 pax seating capacity, Wi-Fi connected spaces, areas for lounge, kiosks, plenary hall, kitchen, utilities, docks, stores, goods equipment and audio visual system. Other basic facilities would be reception area, information counters, public facilities, eating stalls as per the requirement and norms. Facility to interpret six languages and wireless receivers of minimum 2,000 numbers.

Exhibition Centre will have:

Exhibition area would be at least 50,000 sq. ft. That would be covered and have air conditioning. Exhibition Centre should have public utility zone, stalls, tap point for electricity, cables etc., for each stall.

The proposed 5 Star Hotel should have 200 rooms, banquet areas, lobby spaces, restaurants, gym, health centre, pool etc

The Mega Commercial Complex will have the total area of the minimum of 6 lakh square feet that include space for retail shopping, showrooms, cinema screens & food court.