VIJAYAWADA: The World Bank (WB) has given an in-principle approval for a loan of `1,484 crore for the Amaravati Green Development Project (AGDP) in the capital city.
According to Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, the proposal for WB loan is yet to be approved by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Union Finance Ministry.
The development was informed to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a teleconference on Sunday when he finalised a comprehensive plan to make Amaravati a blue and green city.
Giving details of the AGDP, chairperson and managing director of Amaravati Development Corporation Ltd (ADCL) Lakshmi Pardhasaradhi said that greenery would be developed in 15,990 acres of the total 53,620 acres of land in the capital city.
“The project will cover 65 sq.km (30%) of the capital city, with development of major parks, greenery and landscaping on the riverfront and canal front of Kondaveeti Vagu, Paala Vagu and gravitation canal, and Undavalli hillock,” she said.
As part of the AGDP, the CMD of ADCL said three green zones and multiple typologies of green spaces would be developed in the first phase under which works related to avenue plantation, four major parks, 120 community and neighborhood parks, four themed parks, four river islands, greenery along the 25-km stretch of riverfront and 48.3 km canal front would be taken up.
The officials said that the implementation of the AGDP in three years was also discussed as part of the comprehensive plan finalised by the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that that the conceptual plans of the project should have elements to create a unique image of the city and help in promoting Amaravati as the best tourist destination in the world.
“The AGDP should ensure reduction of heat, mitigation of floods and recharge of groundwater levels. It should aid in bettering the air quality and improving the micro-climate by creating a vibrant, diverse and inclusive urban ecosystem with sustainability and livability as its focal points,” the CM said.
Principal Secretary (CRDA) Ajay Jain apprised the CM of the progress of the ongoing works. The Seed Access Road would be one of the first road projects in Amaravati and it would connect the centre of business activity of Amaravati with various institutions of the State government.