VIJAYAWADA: The CRDA has decided to take up three waterfront development projects in capital Amaravati. The projects — alignment of existing bunds, strengthening islands (protection of the seven islands during natural calamities) and waterfront development — will be conceived and designed by WAPCOS, which was earlier known as Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd.
According to information, the Capital Region Development Authority had already issued a work order to WAPCOS for the same in the last week of May. “WAPCOS has been roped in for the three projects. It will conceive a development plan, prepare detailed project report (DPR) and act as project management consultancy till execution. While the DPRs for the bund alignment and riverfront development projects will be ready in three months, the report pertaining to strengthening of islands will get ready in six months,” CRDA Additional Commissioner S Shan Mohan told TNIE. The consultancy firm has already begun surveying areas for preparation of the action plan.
While the actual cost of the projects will be finalised after the DPRs are ready, preliminary estimates suggest that they would cost over `1,000 crore. As per the plans, bunds along the stretch of 38-km-length in Amaravati would be aligned. “The bunds in the capital region have not been developed for several decades and are in a poor state. Similarly, a 2.5-km-long riverfront area will be developed near Rayapudi. The projects will help in boosting tourism prospects of the capital city,” an official from the infrastructure department of CRDA explained.
The project that aims at strengthening islands is about protecting them during floods. There are a total of seven islands (deltas), including Bhavani Island, in the capital region, which are prone to inundation during floods. “There is an island which is as big as 780 acres. After fortification, about 400 acres would be available for utilisation. We will strengthen these islands first. At a later stage, tourism projects, including resorts and other facilities under Public Private Partnership (PPP) can be taken up,” Additional Commissioner Shan Mohan explained.
For the record, the Tourism Department has already chalked out plans to develop the seven islands in a phased manner. Facilities such as amusement, theme park, cultural and heritage centres, nature reserve, hotels and others are being planned here as part of the project.