Visakhapatnam: US firm gets Smart City project

Visakhapatnam: In a move which could accelerate the Smart City work, the Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) got its Project Management Consultant (PMC) for its touted Smart City project. After opting for the competitive open bidding system and interviewing the potentially best firms in search of the right one for the job, the officials zeroed in on the US-based multinational engineering firm AECOM to execute the project.

It was also learnt that AECOM is now busy drafting detailed project reports (DPRs) for various sectors of the Smart City. Right from preparing the detailed project reports and feasibility reports for priority sectors to calling for tenders and monitoring the progress of the projects, the AECOM would assume the lofty mantle of the Vizag Smart City project. Although, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has recently grounded some projects such as an integrated Command and Control Centre, GVMC e-Office, etc., the Smart City Project has not made any real progress over the last few months for want of a PMC.

Now, with the selection of a PMC, the work is expected to be speeded up. In another development, about Rs 396 crore was also credited to the account of the GVSCCL from both Union and state government for the Smart City projects as a first installment. As per the terms and conditions, the PMC would deploy its personnel from various sectors including urban planning, water supply management, e-governance, landscape management, transportation management, renewable energy, communications, social development, etc.

As part of the project, the PMC would develop 1,700 acres near RK Beach area into a Smart City. The Smart City proposals, being prepared by the GVMC with an estimated cost of about Rs 1,600 crore, include pollution sensors, foot overbridges, waste water treatment plant, efficient urban mobility, public bike sharing, smart traffic signals, e-rickshaws, 24x7 water and electricity supply, etc in the 1,700-acre Smart City area.

While the GVSCCL solely undertakes majority of the projects, it would go for public-private partnership to meet the finances of some projects. The GVMC would also take advantage of funds of various schemes such as AMRUT, Housing for All, etc. for the pan-city projects. Some projects would be realised through the AP Disaster Recovery Programme funded by the World Bank such as underground electricity cabling,  shoreline protection, etc.