The mega project aimed at countering pollution in the city -- Green Visakha -- will be launched by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy at the airport on March 25.
The project aims at planting 40 lakh saplings in the next five years with a target of eight lakh saplings each year. VUDA is leading the project with its technical and supervisory support. The A P Pollution Control Board and the district administration are coordinating the project with the support of public sector undertakings and industries in Visakhapatnam.
VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar along with vice-president of Coromandel International, Visakhapatnam, G.S.N. Reddy, inspected the area of plantation at the airport on Monday.
Since the airport area has been identified as one of the sensitive locations as far as pollution is concerned, it is decided to develop the thickest greenery there, according to Mr. Sasidhar and 5,000 saplings will be planted on March 25, marking the launching of the ‘Green Visakha.' An area of 12 acres available at the airport is identified for plantation and Coromandel has been entrusted with the task of developing green shield with the technical support and supervision of VUDA.
The Vice-Chairman directed the DFO of VUDA B.V.A. Krishna Murthy to make arrangements for the plantation. Deputy General Manager of Coromandel K.V. Ramana Murthy and officials of VUDA and Coromandel attended.
Shopping complex
Mr. Sasidhar also inspected the progress of the construction of a modern shopping complex at Sitammadhara.
He directed officials to concentrate on completion of the project on time without compromising on the quality of work. The complex is scheduled for completion by September. VUDA has taken up construction of modern, multi-purpose shopping complexes at Sitammadhara, Pithapuram Colony, and MVP Colony. Since these commercial complexes yield revenue for VUDA, Mr. Sasidhar directed the officials to attend to the works on priority. The Sitammadhara and MVP shopping complexes have been taken up with new designs and amenities in place of old buildings. At Sitammadhara the shopping complex is coming up in an area of 2,500 square yards with cellar, sub-cellar and four floors. Each floor will have 12,000 square feet of constructed area. The cellar and sub-cellar will be earmarked for parking, first and second floors for shops and third and fourth for office accommodation. Estimates and designs are being finalised for the complexes at MVP Colony and Pithapuram Colony.
