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Our Bureau

Four-laning of beach road also taken up

Visakhapatnam , Oct. 3

The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has taken up infrastructure development works at the two hillocks at Rushikonda allocated for setting up IT companies, said Mr G. Venkatarami Reddy, Vice-Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA).

He said here on Tuesday that two layouts had been prepared and of the plotted area of 22.35 acres on one hillock 19 acres had been allocated for nine IT companies and on the other hillock of the 58.65 acres so far 55.65 acres had been allocated for 10 companies.

He said the VUDA was spending Rs 12.10 crore on the development works to be completed by December. The amount would be collected from the IT companies, he said and added that already some companies had started work.

On the criticism levelled by some organisations such as the Forum for Better Visakha against allotment of the hillocks to IT companies, on the ground that it may lead to eco degradation, he said these were non-polluting industries and there was no necessity to obtain any special permission from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The two hillocks were being given the status of two special economic zones meant for IT units.

beach road WIDENING

He said the VUDA had also taken up four-laning of the beach road between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam (Bhimli), of 25 km, at a cost of Rs 60 crore. The first stretch (1-3 km) had been developed by the VUDA and work was under progress on the second stretch (6-9 km).

The R&B department had taken up development of the stretch from the third km to six km.

"We have called for tenders for developing the other stretches. We feel the project is crucial for tourism development. The designs are eco-friendly," he explained.

Further, Mr Reddy said, a circular train project atop Kailasagiri was being taken up at a cost of Rs 3 crore. It may be completed by December.

Housing projects

He said the VUDA had also taken up several housing projects, big and small, to meet the housing needs of the growing city. A mega housing project was proposed at Madhurawada at a cost of Rs 138.61 crore, the work being entrusted to Jurong company. Environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had been obtained and denotification from the Tourism and Archaeological Department was awaited. The construction period for the project, after the clearances, would be two years, he added.

Several other housing projects - one at Rushikonda (Rs 20 crore), Kapulauppada (Rs 6 crore), and Kurmannapalem (Rs. 6.4 crore) - were under various stages of implementation, he said. "Township projects under the public-private partnership model would be taken up at Yendada, Vepagunta and other places. We have shortlisted seven national and international consortia. The bids may be finalised in a month or so," he said.

There is a proposal to construct a mega shopping mall in the MVP layout in an extent of 1.29 acres and a commercial complex at Siripuram Junction in 1.30 acres. Bids have to be finalised for these projects too.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Andhra Pradesh | Urban Development

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