Hyderabad-based R.V. Consultants will draw the plan, keeping population projection in the next 20 years

After a gap of nearly 40 years, a Master Plan is being prepared for Kakinada city. The Kakinada Municipal Corporation has appointed Hyderabad-based R.V. Consultants for the job.

Keeping in view the rising population and requirements of the city in the next 20 years, the firm is preparing the plan. A power-point presentation on the draft plan was held during a meeting held in the municipal corporation office here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, East Godavari Collector and Special Officer of the corporation Neetu Prasad said that Kakinada was emerging as the eight biggest city next to Visakhapatnam in the coastal region. She said that opinions from various quarters would be taken into consideration while finalising the plan. At present, the city’s population was 3.2 lakh and it was expected to cross 10 lakh in the next 20 years, the Collector informed.

Rapid industrialisation

“The city will witness rapid industrialisation in the wake of the PCPIR project. Since the Union Government announced the port’s development this budget, it will boost the industrial growth along the coast further,” she said.

Municipal Commissioner S. Govinda Swamy said that the first master plan for the city was chalked out in 1975. “The plan will focus on improving amenities for the increased population. Infrastructure like roads and bridges will find a special mention in the plan,” he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police R. Vijay Bhaskar Reddy highlighted the need for a special focus on city’s traffic and importance had to be given to widening of roads, developing traffic islands and arranging zebra crossings. Officials of various departments were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by  K. N. Murali Sankar / Kakinada – July 16th, 2014