Andhra Pradesh pushes PPP-led urban projects, asks ULBs for bankable proposals
The State government is according top priority to bridging infrastructure gaps in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), particularly in drinking water supply, sewerage, storm water drainage
The State government is according top priority to bridging infrastructure gaps in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), particularly in drinking water supply, sewerage, storm water drainage, roads, sanitation, solid waste management and public amenities, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) P. Narayana said. Addressing a two-day capacity-building workshop on the preparation of bankable urban projects in Vijayawada on Tuesday, the Minister said urban infrastructure development would be taken up in mission mode through a combination of government support, the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), assistance from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), institutional finance and municipal revenues.
MAUD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar said the workshop was organised for 36 selected ULBs, including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Nellore and Guntur, which have projects with the potential to be developed through UCF, PPP, pooled finance, institutional borrowing and municipal bonds. He observed that while citizens expect reliable drinking water supply, quality roads, efficient drainage and other civic services, there remains a significant gap between public expectations and the infrastructure available on the ground.
It is in this context that the PPP model assumes greater importance, Mr. Suresh Kumar said. He noted that the department has already developed a pipeline of 56 PPP projects with an estimated investment of ₹23,801.21 crore. Clarifying concerns over private participation, he said PPP should not be misconstrued as privatisation and urged municipal officials to convey this message to the public. During the workshop, ULBs were advised to consider PPP as the primary mechanism for addressing infrastructure deficits, while ensuring that municipal ownership of assets remains protected and that the guidelines issued in G.O. Rt.
No. 673, dated May 27, are strictly followed. The ULBs were also directed to submit at least one well-structured and bankable project proposal for State-level review.
The BriefWire