JICA to provide tech support to Andhra's master transport plan

Japan government's funding agency JICA will assist Andhra Pradesh in developing state's traffic and transportation system in its capital region.
The 'Comprehensive Traffic and Transport Study For Andhra Pradesh Capital Region' has been launched, for which JICA will provide technical cooperation.
"Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the Record of Discussions (R/D) with Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of India for implementing technical cooperation project titled Comprehensive Traffic and Transport Study for Andhra Pradesh Capital Region," JICA said in a statement.
The study will contribute to development of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region (APCR), JICA said, adding it will be implemented in coordination with Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA).

Sreedhar Cherukuri, Commissioner, APCRDA, Ajay Jain, Principal Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, Takayoshi Tange, Senior Representative, JICA India were present during the record signing.
APCRDA was enacted through the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act in 2014 with an area over 8,603 square kilometres to establish the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The authority will be entrusted with planning, coordination, execution, supervision, financing, promoting and securing planned development of the capital region.
Japanese experts will be dispatched for assisting APRCDA in the operations on field surveys, plan, design and supervision of the master plan, JICA said.
The study will formulate a comprehensive master plan including immediate action plans to create effective traffic and transportation in 12 urban local bodies in APCR with short and medium term transport development plans as well as long term transport plans, policies and strategies.

It will also encompass trainings and knowledge transfer composed of on-the-job trainings, workshops and seminars. As part of the study, APCRDA officials and other stakeholders would also attend trainings programmes in Japan.
"The main objective of our support is to contribute to social and economic development of the Andhra Pradesh by formulating a Comprehensive Smart Transport Master Plan for the APCR, which may lead ideal transportation," JICA India Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto said.
The technical assistance will also enhance capacity of APCRDA officials in transportation planning through experience of the development of master plans, he said.
It is expected that there will be drastic innovation in the economy with the development of the capital region of Andhra Pradesh.

The existing large urban centres in APCR-- Vijayawada with a population of 1,048,240 and Guntur with a population of 651,382 in 2011 are expected to grow rapidly, JICA said.
JICA is also providing loan assistance to Andhra Pradesh in projects like rural electricity, irrigation and livelihood improvement.
In addition to those loan projects, there are currently two Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) actively working in the states, JICA said in the statement.