In a significant development, the AP Capital Region Development Authority has invited bids for consultants to prepare a detailed master plan for the Vijayawada-Guntur region to an extent of 1,734 square km that excludes the core city and extended region of the capital.

With this move, it is now clear that the Singapore government is preparing a detailed master plan only for the core capital city named Amaravati.

The APCRDA covers around 7,068 square km with 58 mandals, including 220 sq km of capital.

Principal secretary municipal administration and urban development A. Giridhar said, “The Singapore government will give a detailed master plan only for the new capital city. There are other cities like Vijayawada, Guntur and towns like Tenali and Mangalgiri in the capital region and they need a detailed master plan. Singapore will not give the master plan for them. We need to do it ourselves.”

“The detailed master plan is being prepared for Vijayawada, Guntur and Tenali and the vicinity to identify development boundaries, to contain urbanisation within the boundaries and to prevent urban sprawl for an area of 1,734 square km. The process of preparation of detailed master plan for the remaining 5,114 square kms is already under way and is expected to be completed shortly,” said a CRDA official. The last date for bidding is May 28 and it is to be opened on the same day.