The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is preparing to take up the ambitious Integrated Museum and Tourism Project on the Beach Road soon, albeit with a slight modification of plans.
The project, which aims to cover a stretch of Beach Road between Rajiv Smruti Bhavan and the Victory At Sea memorial, had envisaged an underground parking structure and driveway.
Traffic on the Beach Road was planned to be diverted underground along this stretch, with the surface road being dedicated only for the museum project.
No underground driveway
The proposed project had drawn trenchant criticism from residents who said that it would lead to severe congestion in the area and would lead to large weekend crowds, thus spoiling their way of life.
Several representatives spelled out their objections to the project at a meeting organised by VMRDA in October to seek public feedback.
The A.P. Federation of Resident Welfare Associations wrote to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu urging him to drop the project on the grounds of retaining the natural beauty of the city’s beach front, and spend money on improving public transport instead.
Sensing the public mood, VMRDA decided to abandon its plans for an underground driveway. The underground parking lot, however, is still part of the proposed project.
Environmentalists too voiced their concerns over beach erosion and violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Further development close to the high tide line would lead to ingress of saline water and would have a harmful effect on the coastal ecology, it was argued.
Sea Harrier Museum
VMRDA plans to bring a decommissioned Sea Harrier aircraft from Goa and build a museum for it. It also plans to construct a separate submarine museum with special artefacts along with an underground parking lot. The total project is estimated to cost ₹70 crore and is proposed to be funded by A.P. Tourism and the GVMC’s Smart City project with VMRDA being the implementing agency.
Along with the INS Kursura submarine museum and the TU-142 aircraft museum, the Sea Harrier museum and a refurbished Victory At Sea memorial is expected to offer an immersive, in-depth experience to visitors.
VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner P. Basanth Kumar visited the Naval Air Station INS Hansa in Goa ahead of launching the Sea Harrier project. "It will be the first of its kind aircraft to be installed in a flying position," Mr. Basanth Kumar said.
However, another key visit is scheduled towards the end of the month. Work on the project can begin only after that. VMRDA officials are planning to visit Goa after February 20.
"After the success of the TU-142 museum project, we are being offered a decommissioned simulator of the Sea Harrier too. However, it is said to be a large aircraft with the size equivalent to that of two buildings. We have to see whether we can accommodate it and put it to good use," Mr. Basanth Kumar said. Besides there are 300 artefacts of the Sea Harrier and whether they can be properly displayed needs to be looked into, he said.
The Sea Harrier will be dismantled into three parts for transportation here by road. It will be assembled here and hoisted in the air.
However, the election notification which is expected any time, may also delay the project.