Singapore completes phase-1 of master plan for new Andhra Pradesh capital

SINGAPORE: Singapore has completed and delivered on schedule the first phase of the master plan for Andhra Pradesh's new capital city, the government said today.

The blueprint for the southern state's new capital city, to be built in a decade, is being developed by Singapore following the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh which resulted in former capital Hyderabad going to newly-created Telangana state.

Singapore's second minister for trade and industry S Iswaran presented the phase-1 master plan to visiting Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.

"Singapore is pleased to complete and hand over to the Andhra Pradesh government the Capital Region Plan on schedule. It is testimony to the excellent bilateral working relationship between Andhra Pradesh and Singapore, and a boost to the confidence of all stakeholders that the important capital city master plan project is proceeding as planned.

"We look forward to working closely with the Andhra Pradesh government on the timely completion of the next two phases of the project, and to creating opportunities for Indian and Singapore companies," Iswaran said.

The 7,325-square km Capital Region Plan is the first of a three-stage master plan for the capital city, on which Singapore is working in partnership with Andhra Pradesh under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December, 2014.

Under the MoU, a Capital City Plan covering 125 square kms and a detailed Seed Development Plan of about 8 square kms will also be drawn up.

Under phase-1, the plan has been developed which proposes how the whole area can be positioned to grow economically in the long run.

The plan identifies the appropriate long-term economic positioning of the existing towns and cities within the capital region and the context, therefore, for the growth and development of the future Andhra Pradesh capital city.

It includes a regional socio-economic analysis and demographic study and recommends a set of strategies to enhance connectivity and undertake transit-oriented urban development while protecting agricultural and heritage areas.

The Capital Region Plan is important as it forms the larger framework for the Capital City Plan and Seed Development Plan which are expected to be completed by June.

Naidu who is in Singapore on a two-day visit, also met local businesses at a roundtable organised by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the trade promotion agency.

He shared the Capital Region Plan as well as the economic drivers and business opportunities in the capital region and rest of the state.

Tomorrow, Naidu will be hosted on a tour of Toa Payoh Town Centre by the Housing and Development Board to experience life in a Singapore neighbourhood.