Tenders likely to be called for drinking water projects

There seems to be a significant progress in the process related to the proposed ₹13,000 crore loan from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is meant for road, water, and electricity projects in Andhra Pradesh.

The tendering process will be initiated for the projects, according to a top official in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department.

The Beijing-based AIIB had sanctioned the $2 billion loan a few months ago to fund the projects related to the Roads and Buildings, Panchayat Raj, Rural Safe Drinking Water, Electricity, and Municipal and Urban Development.

“The process has crossed several stages and is expected to hit the ground soon,” according to Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, A.P., K. Kannababu.

DPRs prepared

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Kannababu said, “The detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared after several visits by the AIIB and review meetings. We will be calling for tenders for the water projects this month.”

The objective of the tenders is to procure the essential components of the project. At present, the DPRs are understood to be undergoing minor changes based on the inputs by the AIIB team members to suit the requirements of the bank.

The current tendering process pertains to works relating to safe drinking water supply and septage management in different parts of the State costing ₹4,374 crore.

The initial tendering is most likely to begin in the Rayalaseema districts as per the sources in the government.

Other projects

This apart, the process concerning road, electricity and other related projects, which constitute the sizeable part of the total loan by the AIIB, is under way, and it may also see light soon.

At present, the environmental assessment and impact study is under way and it may take a couple of weeks for the AIIB teams to come up with the report on the same.