Singapore advisors meet Naidu on capital building

Hyderabad, Feb 3 (INN): In a meeting with Singapore advisors on capital development and building, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the models of development suggested by the consultants.

During the meeting, Singapore consultants and advisors said they would assist the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) to strategize and focus on key areas in the capital such as infrastructure planning, development control, housing, solid waste management and integrated transport systems.

Suggesting that the processes and systems have to be streamlined, Singapore advisors said that the state government has to make the environment conducive for private investors through policy changes and faster clearances.

The Chief Minister has asked the Government of Singapore to work with AP officials on solid waste management and on revamping municipalities.

During the discussion, a Singapore expert in solid waste management pointed out that Andhra Pradesh needs streamlining of garbage collection, segregation of waste. That apart, the expert added that the government also has to create awareness and educate people not to litter their surroundings.

As part of the partnerships between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of Singapore, officials from both sides will work with the CRDA on identifying local growth engines and revenue generators.

Singapore consultants suggested the Chief Minister that they would have to hire people and train them in order to build capacities. The advisors also highlighted that the capital region has a lot of potential for private sector investments ' to bring latest technologies, innovation, create solid waste management industry and eventually, have a national/international solid waste management Centre.

Expressing confidence that Andhra Pradesh will have the best capital with Singapore's support, the Chief Minister said that he wants to create models of development in the capital in a way that they are second to none in the world.

During their earlier sessions with AP officials, Singapore advisors discussed their assistance to AP in governance, planning, transport planning, housing, economic development, land use, environment and parks, utilities and capital city development.

AP officials were taught about arresting urban sprawl haphazardly and ensuring that the growth happens evenly. They were also trained to focus on strategies that will enable the government to power all the industrial and revenue-generating nodes at once, instead of doing it unevenly.

The consultants also suggested that the capital city have infrastructure ready before people begin occupying the region. They added that 'Plug-n-play' model of operations should be implemented.

Minister P. Narayana, Special Chief Secretary (Planning) S.P. Tucker, Principal Secretary (MA&UD) A. Giridhar, CRDA CEO Srikanth, Principal Secretary to CM Satish Chandra and other officials were present.