VIJAYAWADA: Emphasising that urban centres serve as the primary growth engines of the State economy, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday virtually launched major urban infrastructure projects worth Rs 11,359 crore spanning 123 municipalities and municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh from Kuppam.
Describing the simultaneous rollout of development works as a “golden chapter” in the State’s municipal history, the Chief Minister directed officials to transform and rebrand the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department into an “Urban Prosperity Department” to foster growth.
Livability and ‘weekend economy’ more in focus
To execute these large-scale infrastructure projects without placing an immediate financial burden on urban local bodies, the government has adopted the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for the first time in urban development.
Out of the total package, Rs 7,469 crore has been allocated to 123 municipalities, while Rs 3,890 crore has been earmarked for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
The project portfolio entails constructing 2,165 km of advanced roads at an estimated cost of Rs 4,656 crore, developing 502 green urban parks at a cost of Rs 509 crore, laying 300 km of underground drainage and sewerage networks, installing street lighting across 391 km at Rs 247 crore, and constructing 210 km of central medians costing Rs 88 crore.
Highlighting the changing economic dynamics in urban centres, Naidu emphasised the need to enhance livability, and harness the rapidly growing ‘weekend economy.’
Citing studies, he noted that urban residents spend nearly 61 per cent of their disposable income during weekends, and allocate 71 per cent toward transportation needs, urging municipal commissioners and local representatives to design urban spaces that capitalise on these spending patterns to generate local economic opportunities. Addressing housing and basic amenities, he reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to completing all pending Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TIDCO) housing projects by 2027.
He highlighted that title deeds have already been distributed to 28,500 beneficiaries in Visakhapatnam, with plans to cover more eligible families in litigation-free areas.
He also instructed officials to expedite the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure round-the-clock safe drinking water supply for urban households, alongside streamlining building permission processes to spur construction activity.
Under the Swachh Andhra–Swarnandhra sanitation drive, Naidu revealed that 143 lakh tonnes of legacy waste has been cleared across municipalities.
With two waste-to-energy plants currently operational, and four more scheduled for completion shortly, he directed authorities to implement scientific solid waste managemen.
Outlining a broader Rs 50,000 crore urban transformation pipeline—which includes Rs 22,330 crore of ongoing works, and another Rs 17,000 crore slated for grounding within six months—the CM set a vision for officials to work toward transforming every municipality into a “Swarna Municipality” by 2047.