Our mission aims at efficiently utilising the available assets, resources and infrastructure to enhance the quality of urban life, says M Hari Naryanan, Municipal Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). He shares:

Current progress of works in the city: As per the plan, close to 70 per cent of the work has been grounded. We have completed an Integrated Command and Communication Centre at the GVMC office, Centralised Command Control Centre at the Police Commissioner's office, and Phase-II of the smart poles project for redesigning and beautification of roads costing Rs 600 million. Works worth Rs 6.50 billion (under smart city mission) are underway, which includes the Rs 800 million 24 x 7 water supply project and Rs 650 million sewerage network.

Smart infra: We are extending the smart street project to 34 more roads spanning 11.5 km. This project is already underway at 20 roads, spanning 19.5 km, and will cost around Rs 1.60 billion. To make Vizag energy-sufficient, we have planned a 15 MW floating solar power plant worth Rs 1 billion.

Total budgeted amount towards the city’s civil infrastructure works: Smart city projects will be implemented over a period of five years with an outlay of Rs 16.02 billion. So far, we have spent close to Rs 3 billion.

- RAHUL KAMAT