VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh: Kaushal Kishore, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), while responding to a query raised in the Rajya Sabha (RS) by MP GVL Narasimha Rao, informed that 36 Smart City projects, out of a total 61 projects worth ₹942 crore sanctioned for Visakhapatnam, have been completed and ₹452.25 crore has been used.
Visakhapatnam is one of the four cities in Andhra Pradesh selected under the Smart City Mission competition, held between 2015 and 2018. Kishore pointed out that the Smart Cities Mission is implemented by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) which are under the joint ownership of the respective state governments and urban local bodies (ULB). Whenever they receive a complaint, they send it to the respective state governments for the appropriate action. In some cases, the third-party evaluation is conducted by the Central ministries.
MP Rao also requested information about the funds allocated for the development of the VMRDA (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority) Park and other works. In response, Kishore said that the park spread over 33 acres of land, is being developed as a Smart Park, which can cater to people of all age groups and as of July 31 ₹30.76 crore have been spent.
Kishore said, “Recreational features such as nature trail, cycle track, landscaping with herbal plants, exclusive multi-purpose lawn with yoga circle, food courts, exclusive sports arenas for badminton, tennis and basketball, play zone for children, outdoor gym area, boating facility, and enhanced parking facilities are being been developed.”
He further informed that Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited has developed an Indore Sports Arena encompassing basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, an outdoor gym, half Olympic size swimming pool and kid’s pool, play area for children, dormitories, board game room and jogging park has been built in MVP Colony. The arena has a seating capacity of 294.
Speaking about the multi-level car parking at Jagdamba Junction Kishore said, “The multi-level semi-automatic car parking at Jagadamba Junction has been developed to accommodate 100 cars. The project aims at decongesting the Jagadamba market area, thus enabling safe and efficient vehicular circulation. As on July 31, ₹10.14 crore has been spent on the project.” CM Saikanth Varma, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), said that the urban local body is aiming to finish the Smart City work within the deadline of June 2024.