IFC-funded Rs.498-crore mega sewage project to takeoff in Vizag soon

The stage is getting set to kickstart work on International Finance Corporation (IFC)-funded Madhurawada Sewage System Project in Visakhapatnam soon.

IFC, a member of World Bank Group early this month signed a trust deed with Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the State Government sanctioning a loan of $60 million (Rs.498 crore).

Madhurawada area, which has become a happening place with several IT companies setting up their campuses, at present has woefully-inadequate drainage management.

The comprehensive sewage system project for Madhurawada aims to lay underground pipelines and establish a 38 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for the city's sustainability by 2030.

After signing the agreement, S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, said this will be a model project for any urban civic body anywhere in India.

IFC will give the loan in the form of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCD). Besides a grant by the State Government, the Centre will release Rs 9.36 crore under AMRUT 2.0 Program.

During an interactive session here, District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad said on Friday that the foundation stone for the project will be laid in three to four months or before.

He was speaking at a conference organised by CII in collaboration with VMRDA on urban planning & future cities with the theme “building resilient, sustainable and future-ready urban spaces.”

The conference aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among urban planners, government officials, infrastructure experts and industry leaders. Key focus areas included e-mobility, green financing, water and waste systems, and sustainable construction.

The Collector said that the project will provide sewage connection to 2.50 lakh households. Once completed GVMC is expected to become a role model for implementing a mega sustainability project. He said the State Government is firm on making Visakhapatnaman a resilient livable city with the combined effort of all the stakeholders.

The Collector said VMRDA is in the process of finalising the Revised Master Plan keeping in view the growth projections.

"Pothole-free roads with good connectivity are being planned to minimise time spent in moving from one place to another," he stated.

VMRDA Joint Commissioner K. Ramesh said creating a resilient livable city is on top of their agenda and gave details on how in the Revised Master Plan they want to develop theme-based satellite cities each in an area of 100 to 200 acres.

Stating that finances are key to development, he said raising revenue through tools like mixed use layouts and land value capture on nodal corridors have become the focus areas.

CII former AP president and Maple Software CEO GST Shiv Kumar presided over the meeting.