Visakhapatnam: The first of its kind solar tree project planned by Vuda is getting delayed. Though it’s been more than a year that a consultant had been appointed by the Vuda to conduct a techno-financial feasibility study, only technical feasibility report was prepared so far. The financial feasibility report is yet to be prepared.
Discussion on the project has been postponed, at least twice in the last two Vuda Board meetings due to lack of financial feasibility report. The consultant was supposed to submit both technical and financial feasibility reports within 15 weeks it was awarded the work in August last year.
The Vizag solar tree will be a science tourism centre to emphasise on sustainable approach for renewable energy technologies and to preserve biodiversity of Vizag. It will have multiple live laboratories that monitor air quality and serve as research platforms for developing eco-friendly clean air technologies. The project will be taken up under Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.
The consultant picked by Vuda should also take up bid process management, including preparation of concession agreement and project supervision, during execution.
The technical feasibility study includes understanding the site by doing site investigation and surveys of contour, topography, soil test, suitability for development of the facilities, demand for science tourism centre and also R&D platform. The consultant will also do a market assessment, demand analysis, preliminary and detailed cost estimate and prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPR).
"Development of Vizag soloar tree with multiple live laboratories that monitor air quality and serve as research platforms for developing eco-friendly clean air technologies on Vuda Kailasagiri hill park, Visakhapatnam on BOT basis - Draft subject placed before Vuda Board for perusal and ratification - Subject No.70 postponed in previous Board meeting dt:18-08-2015 - Re submission - Reg.
The Board resolved that after obtaining the financial feasibility report the subject shall be placed before the next board meeting for a decision," said a resolution on solar tree put before Vuda Board recently.
