The World Bank has come forward to support the construction of Amaravati, the capital city. The loan plan, which was stopped due to the intrigues of the YCP leaders, is likely to be revived soon.
A four-member World Bank team, which has been touring the Amaravati region since Saturday, met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat on Monday and indicated their willingness to assist Amaravati. The Chief Minister discussed with them the financial assistance to be provided for the construction of Amaravati.
A World Bank delegation comprising infrastructure senior specialist Raghu Kesavan, lead transport specialist Gerald Paul Aliviar and senior urban specialist King un Shen and South Asia urban Practice manager AbedaliRajaq F Khaleel met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Minister for municipal administration P Narayana and CRDA commissioner K Bhaskar were also present at the meeting. The Chief Minister explained to the World Bank delegation about the state government’s proposal to develop Amaravati as a world class capital.
The CRDA officials said that a team of top World Bank officials will visit the state once again, after which a clarification will be given on the forthcoming loan to Amaravati.
In the past, Chandrababu’s government had tried to get World Bank’s cooperation for the construction of Amaravati. It all came to a head. But it was stopped due to YCP conspiracies. At that time CRDA sent proposals to the World Bank seeking a loan of Rs.7,200 crores.
The then government proposed to take Rs.3,200 crores in the first phase and another Rs.3,200 crores in the second phase. Then the Center also agreed to take the first phase loan. CRDA has taken up some priority infrastructure works with in-principle approval from the World Bank.
But at the same time YCP conspiracies started. The YCP leaders have written a letter to the World Bank in the name of ‘Amravati locals’ saying that the projects being undertaken with World Bank funds are harming their interests. A complaint was lodged on 25 May 2017.
With this, the World Bank team came to Amaravati for inspections keeping the loan facility pending. Talked to officials and locals in Amaravati. The team submitted its preliminary report to the World Bank. It said more checks are needed for a complete report.
In the meantime, the government has changed in the state. Jagan single-handedly blocked Amaravati. With Chandrababu once again coming to power, Amaravati is in a state of flux. The World Bank team visited Amaravati for three days and made close observations.
Earlier, the delegation met the CRDA officials at the CRDA office and discussed Amaravati development. Later, they visited the Amaravati capital region and inspected the ongoing construction sites and existing structures. In the three-day visit, the World Bank delegation made a detailed study on ongoing projects in Amaravati capital region including Kondaveeti Vagu lift irrigation pump house and visited SRM university and VIT universities.