CRDA moots ‘By The River’ project for promoting physical activity

According to officials, the facilities would include outdoor gym and amenities for sports including cricket, volleyball, basketball, badminton and others.

VIJAYAWADA: With happiness being one of the key principles on which the State government is building capital Amaravati, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is in the process of creating infrastructure to improve the happiness index. As a part of this, the authority plans to create a playfield with facilities to promote physical activity.

According to officials, the facilities would include outdoor gym and amenities for sports including cricket, volleyball, basketball, badminton and others.“We have invited tenders for civil works related to the playfield, which will be developed as a part of ‘By The River’ project. The facility is for promoting sports and exercise. We have also invited tenders for procuring necessary equipment,” a senior official explained. The development of the playfield is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 crore. The proposed project will come up at Venkatapalem village in the capital region, which is being developed as a riverfront tourism area. “Once the tenders are finalised, we expect to complete the execution of the project in six months,” the official added. The developer is expected to be identified in a month.

It maybe noted that the APCRDA has already proposed various riverfront projects including a Drive-in area and Amaravati Marina. While the Marina is expected to be ready by May 2019, the authority is yet to tender out the drive-in project. The drive-in project is also expected to have outdoor sports and games arena, besides open-air theatre and food courts.   

The outdoor gym planned in the proposed ‘By The River’ project was mooted as a temporary fitness centre in the past. It was expected to cost about Rs 1.5 crore. However, the officials said it would now be taken up along with the development of the playfield.

About the project

The development of the playfield is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 crore. The proposed project will come up at Venkatapalem village in the capital region, which is being developed as a riverfront tourism area. According to APCRDA officials, once the tenders are finalised, the execution of the project is expected
to take six months. The developer is expected to be identified in a month.