RAJAHMUNDRY: Work on development of the first model of smart city for Eluru in West Godavari is likely to begin from February. The civic authorities are awaiting the state cabinet nod to develop the model smart city. Once the clearance is given, tenders will be called to fix agencies for developing the smart city.
The state government issued a government order recently incorporating several components in developing the smart city. They include: water, sewerage, drains, sanitation, urban transportation, solid waste management, canal water front development, land development for commercial purpose and setting up city management control centre amongothers.
The civic authorities say that Chief Minister during his review of the development of smart city, felt the need to take up beautification of the town. This could be started by developing greenery, vehicular traffic regulation, water supply and street lighting.
The state government has already set up an AP Urban Development Fund with Rs 5,000 crore to improve amenities in urban centres like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati and Kakinada. Of this, nearly '269 crore has been allocated to them. The authorities are expecting allocation of funds for developing Eluru from the same fund.
Eluru municipal commissioner Y. Sai Srikanth said, “Once we get the cabinet approval for developing Eluru as the first model smart city in the state, we expect the work to be completed in a year. We are making efforts to mobilise funds from various sources including from international agencies. The total cost of the project ranges from Rs 700 cr to Rs 900 cr.”
Earlier, Mumbai-based Shapoorji Pallonji Group expressed interest in developing Eluru as a smart city under Swiss Challenge mode. The state government, with some changes in the project report, wanted to take up development work in the city.
