The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to enlist the services of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and its principal advisor E Sreedharan to work on two metro rail projects planned in the new state.
?The government has assigned the construction of Metro rail projects of AP to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). DMRC principal adviser E Sreedharan has been appointed as the adviser for the government of AP on the projects,” a release from the government said. The two rail projects in the state would be completed within three and a half years.
In a meeting with Sreedharan at his office, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh would initially have two metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and VGTM (Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri) area. He has asked the DMRC principal adviser to finish both projects within the stipulated three and a half years. Naidu has asked Sreedharan to prepare a feasibility report for a rail based mass rapid transit system as well.
The state government has also proposed a metro rail project for Tirupati. However, the Tirupati project would be taken up once the Visakhapatnam and VGTM projects are completed. Sreedharan has assured the CM that DMRC would support and assist the state government in every way possible.
Meanwhile, the AP government has proposed to come up with an online mechanism for its single-window clearance scheme. The chief minister has asked the department to study industrial policies of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He said the aim of the government is to create an investor-friendly climate in the state.
A State Investment Promotion Council (SIPC) and District Investment Promotion Councils (DIPC) will be set up to give in-principle approvals for industries. A Society for Front Office, at the state and district level, will be set up to receive applications.
The chief minister has also proposed that industrial parks in Visakhapatnam have a chief executive officer who will monitor and follow up approvals of the companies located in the premises of the IT park.
He said the district-level industries should be upgraded in infrastructure and human resources. Soft skills training also will be provided to district-level officials.
