VIJAYAWADA: The United Kingdom has joined hands with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to help transform Amaravati into a world-class smart city, and upgrade urban infrastructure across all 123 municipalities in the State.
A Government-to-Government (G2G) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Tuesday between MA&UD Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar and Chaz Walia, Deputy Director for Government
Partnerships at the UK Department for Business and Trade, in the presence of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P Narayana, British Deputy High Commissioner Gareth Wynn Owen, and UK Trade Counsellor for South Asia Mark Birrell.
Briefing the media after the high-level signing ceremony, the MA&UD Minister outlined the extensive framework of the G2G agreement.
He emphasised that the strategic partnership centers on four core pillars.
They include Infrastructure Planning, Sustainable Urban Development, Technology Transfer and Innovation, and Integrated Urban Mobility.
Under Infrastructure Planning and Urban Management, the two governments will collaborate on long-term project planning, project prioritisation, financial feasibility assessments, and developing investment-ready business cases.
Rs 40,000 cr urban infra projects underway in State
The partnership will leverage international expertise in project design, execution, and programme management to ensure high standards.
To build smart and livable cities, the UK administration and its expert agencies will provide technical support to incorporate modern urban planning principles, sustainable construction practices, and environmental conservation frameworks into Andhra Pradesh’s urban expansion plans.
A major highlight of the MoU is the direct emphasis on technology transfer and innovation. The State government plans to adopt advanced global tools, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), and cutting-edge construction technologies to modernise project execution. Knowledge-sharing initiatives and capacity-building programmes will also be established between UK-based institutions and State government agencies to train local engineers and urban planners.
In terms of Integrated Urban Mobility, the partnership aims to overhaul transit infrastructure across key urban centres. The joint initiative will focus on designing integrated public transport systems—linking metro rail networks, city bus corridors, airport connectivity, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Data-driven traffic management systems will be deployed to optimise transit routes, reduce severe traffic congestion, lower urban carbon emissions, and provide seamless last-mile connectivity for citizens.
Narayana stressed that while Amaravati remains a central focus, the benefits of this G2G partnership will extend to all 123 municipalities and municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh. The State government, with combined support from Central and State funds, is currently executing urban infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 40,000 crore.
These ongoing and upcoming works encompass fundamental civic amenities, including arterial roads, storm-water drainage systems, protected drinking water supply schemes, and modern solid and liquid waste management facilities.
By integrating the UK technical expertise, global best practices, and innovative execution models into these Rs 40,000-crore civic projects, the State government aims to significantly enhance project quality, operational longevity, and delivery efficiency.
Narayana recalled that London-based architecture firm Foster + Partners had previously designed the iconic administrative buildings for Amaravati, including the State Legislative Assembly, the High Court, and the Secretariat Complex.
The State government intends to build upon this existing foundation by engaging top UK institutions for the next phase of capital development.
