M Vinay Kumar, Superintendent Engineer (Projects) at Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), has reported significant progress in the implementation of the Visakhapatnam smart city project. With the deadline for completion set for June 2024, Kumar stated that GVMC is exerting maximum efforts to meet this target. He shared insights during discussions with a delegation of journalists from Punjab who were on a study tour as part of the “Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra” (VBY), organized by the Press Information Bureau Vijayawada unit.
Vinay Kumar emphasized that the smart cities project’s primary goal is to enhance the city’s quality of life by providing essential infrastructure, amenities, and intelligent solutions. Visakhapatnam is among the 20 smart cities identified by the Union Government in the initial phase of this initiative. The project’s total cost is ₹1,000 crore, with equal financial contributions from the Union and state governments. Out of the 59 projects undertaken, 57 have already been completed, utilizing ₹649 crore thus far.
The superintendent engineer highlighted three pivotal aspects of the smart city project: retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield development. The focus involves adopting an area-based development approach, concentrating on selected areas for comprehensive enhancement, including the development of public infrastructure such as schools and parks.