SPAV offers its expertise to the Andhra Pradesh government for development in various sectors

VIJAYAWADA: School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (SPAV), one of the leading planning and architecture colleges in the country, has offered its expertise to the Andhra Pradesh government to ensure all-round development in various sectors.

Assistance has been proposed in traffic and transportation planning, urban and rural development, environmental planning, development of coastal corridors to support a multi-layered economy, economic planning and resource generation.

Talking to TNIE, SPAV Director Dr Srikonda Ramesh mentioned that the governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka have availed our services.

Given our location in Andhra Pradesh, SPAV is keen to contribute significantly to the development of the state, especially since its partition, he added.

This institution has been actively involved in advising the state government, especially the municipal administration and the urban development department.

She served as a technical consultant in the development of rehabilitation and resettlement (rehabilitation colonies and infrastructure), submitting reports to the relevant authorities.

SPAV has also developed master plans for cities like Visakhapatnam, Eluru and Bhimavaram.

A notable project of SPAV is the ‘Gram Panchayat Development Plan’ for Paritala Gram Panchayat and Telaprolu Gram Panchayat in undivided Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has entrusted SPAV with the implementation of this project, which is considered a model for other village panchayats in the country.

Dr Ayon Kumar Tarafdar, Dean of the Academic Faculty of SPAV and a member of the planning team, explained that the initial project report served as an advisory document for the development of these villages.

He mentioned that the ministry has asked for further analysis in the second phase, which is expected to be completed in September.

Prashant Vardhan, another member of the team, detailed the extensive process that included research, processing of satellite images, participatory planning, identification of key issues and opportunities, concept development and preparation of proposals.

The first phase involved a comprehensive micro-level analysis of both villages, covering aspects such as village characteristics, resources, demography, infrastructure (water supply, drainage, schools, hospitals, power), sanitation, solid waste management, and integration of government social programmes.

Based on this analysis, recommendations were made to implement improvements over the next decade.

In the upcoming second phase, the project will undergo further detailed analysis at the micro level.