Pandemic casts its shadow on executive capital plan

Visakhapatnam April 22 Court cases and the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic appears to have put brakes on the State Government's plan to make Visakhapatnam the executive capital.

The fate of trifurcation of capital depends on the outcome of cases filed by aggrieved farmers of Amaravati and several others.

The authorities after frequent visits of Ministers and top officials have already zeroed in on some government and private buildings to make a symbolic launch of the executive capital after Ugadi-the Telugu New Year..

There was buzz for quite some time that the trifurcation of capital would start with the inauguration of CM's camp office and upgradation of government offices by posting senior officials pending court order before commencement of the academic year.

With the entire official machinery preoccupied with the management of COVID situation as well as the vaccine rollout and subsequent short-supply there appears to be remote possibility of shifting of employees from Tadepalli and Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam in the near future. The gravity of the situation will also make many reluctant to relocate at this juncture.

Keeping in view the executive capital plan, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has already directed the officials to prioritise works. He wanted Metro Rail and Tram Project, Beach Corridor between Visakhapatnam and Bheemili over a stretch of 30 km, diversion of Godavari waters through pipeline and construction of international airport at Bhogapuram taken up on a fast-track mode.

Prime buildings like Secretariat, CM's camp office, Raj Bhavan and DGP office are expected to come up between Rushikonda and Bheemili. The entire stretch has close access to the breathtaking view of the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal.

A survey has already been made on vacant buildings and private premises which can be taken on lease. A land parcel of nearly 300 acres on Hill No. 4 of Madhurawada will have a knowledge park by APIIC with sentinel towers-a high-end gated community and a mega guesthouse as well as the Adani Data Park and development centre of Franklin Templeton-a reputed asset management company.

The government has envisaged Metro Rail project over a stretch of 76.9 km from Kurmannapalem to Bhogapuram at a cost of Rs.14,000 crore and 60.2 km long Tram Corridor with an estimated outlay of Rs.6,000 crore.

The Godavari water diversion to Visakhapatnam will be taken up through a pipeline to meet the needs for next five years. The government has also taken a policy decision to develop Beach Corridor by spending Rs.1167 crore.