The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : SPV for BRTS by month-end, says Pradyumna

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 18, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

SPV for BRTS by month-end, says Pradyumna

Staff Reporter

‘Works like setting up of bus shelters and traffic signals are in progress now’

It will take about 45 to 70 days to finalise the tenders, says Commissioner
Nearly 48,000 members are expected to be enrolled in Abhaya Hastham, he says

VIJAYAWADA: A Special Purpose Vehicle to implement the Bus Rapid Transit System project in the city will be formed by the end of July, and the project in all likelihood will take a firm shape within three months from now, according to P.S. Pradyumna, Commissioner of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC).

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Pradyumna said that the slight delay in the progress of BRTS works was due to the delay in the formation of the SPV.

“On our part, we have taken up works worth Rs. 152 crore and are completing them one by one. Works like the setting up of bus shelters and traffic signals are in progress now,” he said.

The SPV would be headed by the Commissioner himself, while executive director of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation would be its managing director. Krishna district collector, police commissioner, deputy transport commissioner and the regional manager of the APSRTC would act as directors in the SPV.

Mr. Pradyumna said that the process of inviting tenders would commence after the formation of the SPV and it would take about 45 days to 70 days to finalise the tenders and award the works. “Many technical issues are involved in the project and the delay is due to those issues,” he made clear.

Abhaya Hastham

Explaining the modalities for implementing Abhaya Hastham, the State government’s prestigious programme to give pensions to members of women self help groups, Mr. Pradyumna said that arrangements were being made for the enrolment of eligible members.

Eligibility

He said all those members of SHGs who were in the age group of 18-60 years are eligible to apply for the special insurance scheme announced by the State government.

Applicants must have been members of the SHGs at least for a year and they would have to pay a premium of Re.1 a day for one year.

“The benefits will be based on the age of the applicant,” he said, adding that about 48,000 members were expected to be enrolled in the first year.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh