Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal. (Image: DC)
Visakhapatnam: Newly appointed Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal has shared with Deccan Chronicle the roadmap for developing the Vizag metropolitan region, including the 13 mandals that have been merged with the port city.
After taking over as the authority’s chief, Pranav Gopal chaired a meeting of the VMRDA board to improve infrastructure within the metropolitan region and offer better services to the people. VMRDA commissioner K.S. Vishwanathan, EPDCL chairman and managing director Prithvi Tej, secretary (Urban and Municipal Administration) Kannababu, and collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Anakapalle districts participated in the meeting.
The VMRDA chairman told DC: “A comprehensive master plan for the 13 newly merged mandals within VMRDA has been approved. Infrastructure projects of ₹9 crore have been approved for Narsipatnam, Elamanchili and Nellimarla. A budget of ₹2.68 crore has been earmarked for constructing commercial and convention centres in Anakapalle and Tummapal.”
Pranav Gopal disclosed that the board approved a ₹200 crore project for safeguarding and preventing erosion of the coastline stretching from Visakhapatnam to Bheemili. The cost will be shared between the central government and VMRDA in the ratio 90:10.
VMRDA has okayed laying of 15 roads to connect the Bhogapuram International Airport with the national highway. Funds for the purpose will be generated through the sale of VMRDA properties located in Chinamushidivada and Tummapal.
The metropolitan authority will collaborate with Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to establish a state-of-the-art sports complex of Olympic standards on a 2.7-acre site in Madhurawada, with the two entities sharing investment costs equally. Similarly, water sports’ activities are being planned at Rushikonda Beach and Gambhiram Reservoir.
The VMRDA chairman told DC: “A comprehensive master plan for the 13 newly merged mandals within VMRDA has been approved. Infrastructure projects of ₹9 crore have been approved for Narsipatnam, Elamanchili and Nellimarla. A budget of ₹2.68 crore has been earmarked for constructing commercial and convention centres in Anakapalle and Tummapal.”
Pranav Gopal disclosed that the board approved a ₹200 crore project for safeguarding and preventing erosion of the coastline stretching from Visakhapatnam to Bheemili. The cost will be shared between the central government and VMRDA in the ratio 90:10.
VMRDA has okayed laying of 15 roads to connect the Bhogapuram International Airport with the national highway. Funds for the purpose will be generated through the sale of VMRDA properties located in Chinamushidivada and Tummapal.
The metropolitan authority will collaborate with Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to establish a state-of-the-art sports complex of Olympic standards on a 2.7-acre site in Madhurawada, with the two entities sharing investment costs equally. Similarly, water sports’ activities are being planned at Rushikonda Beach and Gambhiram Reservoir.
The metropolitan authority chief underlined the need for starting multi-speciality hospitals in Anakapalle. For the purpose, the board has approved construction of a health city on a 7.68-acre site at Erra Cheruvu. Once the health city develops, it will provide immediate medical assistance to people in case of industrial incidents.
The board approved ₹1.84 crore to maintain the musical fountain in the Visakhapatnam Central Park over 40 months. Plans are underway to develop an urban habitat centre, inspired by Delhi's India Habitat Centre. It will be established over eight acres in Rushikonda under public-private partnership.
Pranav Gopal said these decisions reflect the NDA alliance government's commitment to promoting urban development, enhancing public amenities, and addressing critical safety issues within the north Andhra region.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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