Vijayawada: In a transformative move to catalyse urban development across the state, the municipal administration department has intensified its focus on implementing revenue-generating urban infrastructure projects. The projects will be taken up through financing mechanisms such as Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), and Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The govt identified a portfolio of 30 revenue-generating projects across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Andhra Pradesh.The municipal administration department aims to position cities as economic engines driving inclusive growth, sustainability, and future-ready infrastructure. Ahead of readying the blueprint, the Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar held a brainstorming session with senior officials, including Director of Municipal Administration Sampath Kumar. They set a focus on enhancing urban livability and sustainability across various critical sectors. It was decided to take up solid waste management (waste to energy), urban mobility and road infrastructure upgradation, solar energy and green infrastructure, supply of treated water to industries, and commercial development of urban land parcels under PPP.“We needed to adopt innovative tools for land monetisation and prepare mixed-use development strategies, leveraging underutilised urban assets for long-term financial sustainability and enhanced citizen services,” observed Suresh Kumar.The state govt decided to take up several strategic urban infrastructure initiatives, which are being structured and implemented under the PPP and HAM models. “Development of city roads in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for enhanced traffic management, road safety, and seamless urban transport is also a key project to be taken up on priority,” said Suresh Kumar.Similarly, a series of innovative and tourism-friendly urban development projects under the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) are also being launched, including the East Coast Habitat Centre at Madhurawada – a landmark mixed-use urban node integrating residential, commercial, and institutional facilities, Vizag experience and virtual reality arena with hotel–India’s first immersive digital tourism experience zone. Besides, eco cottages, a 360° revolving restaurant, and a bay view café at Kailasagiri–tourism-centric facilities promoting green and coastal recreation.
