Rajahmundry: Indian business conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group has expresssed interest to develop Eluru as a first model Smart City in the state under Swiss Challenge model. The Mumbai-based Shapoorji Pallonji and Company, in its expression of interest, held a series of workshops and in-depth interactions with various stakeholders including officials from the municipal corporation, the APEPDCL, police and others over a period of time to find out the existing infrastructure and the need to augment and improve them and also develop smart solutions to improve the quality of life of citizens and create employment opportunities especially to the youth.
Several senior representatives from SPCPL met the Eluru municipal commissioner Y. Sai Srikanth and submitted their expression of interest at Eluru on August 26 in the presence of District Collector K. Bhaskar. The civic authorities, after being convinced over the kind of amenities proposed to be developed by the firm in its expression of interest, will in turn forward it to the state government.
Once the state government gives its nod, the work will begin. The firm proposed to improve the existing utilities dealing with water and sewerage, energy, storm water drains, development of major roads, intelligent management of vehicular traffic, electronic surveillance and ensuring safety to the general public. The firm has come up with a development plan to improve physical, social and IT infrastructure to help transform the city into a Smart City.
Civic authorities say that based on a tentative plan, it may cost about Rs 1,000 crore to develop Eluru as a Smart City. Officials are yet to finalise the rules about the mobilisation of such as a large quantum. Andhra Pradesh Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services will be roped in to mobilise funds for execution of the project.
There is also a proposal to develop Eluru under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Infrastructure at a cost of Rs 395 crore. Eluru municipal commissioner Y. Sai Srikanth said, “We will send the EOI submitted by Shapoorji and Pallonji Group to the state government soon. Once we get the consent from the state government, we will ask the firm to start work as it has already got feedback on existing infrastructure in the city.”
