AP receives 19 EoIs for three convention centre projects

Developers for all infra projects, including the convention centres, would be selected through a competitive bidding route

As many as 19 companies have submitted expression of interest (EoI) for developing three convention centre projects, one each in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, under the design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.

The Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (Incap), the nodal agency of AP government, had last month invited EoIs for these three projects while the last date for submission of the same ended on Tuesday.

“We have received 19 EoIs including one from Malaysia,” Ajay Jain, secretary of energy and infrastructure departments, said, adding the response from the prospective investors had been very encouraging.

The government proposes to develop two mega convention centres with 8,000-10,000 seating capacity each along with a five star hotel, exhibition halls, shopping complex-cum-multiplex among other facilities — all at one place in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. However, a smaller size convention centre with 3,000-5,000 seating capacity has been proposed in Vijayawada keeping in view the upcoming greenfield capital city, according to officials.

Jain said the developers for all the infrastructure projects, including the convention centres, would be selected through a competitive bidding route.

Last month, the Incap had invited separate EoIs for developing Bhavanapadu seaport in Srikakulam district and also for setting up of international schools in Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Tirupati.

Malaysian delegation meets AP CM
A delegation of investors and government officials from Malaysia on Tuesday met chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and evinced interest in participating in various infrastructure projects in the state. The Malaysian government has also come forward to conduct a feasibility study for the Itchapurram-Chennai beach road project, according to a statement issued by the chief minister’s office.

A delegate from Malaysia’s Industrial Development Board said their government was also interested in master plan and conceptual planning of townships in the capital region. The delegation evinced interest in investing in infrastructure, roads and buildings, aquaculture, IT, mining, automotive industry, pharma, tourism and agro-processing  among other sectors in Andhra Pradesh, it said.

Naidu wants Nabard funding for PPP projects
Meanwhile, Naidu requested the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) to fund the public-private partnership projects being taken up in the state. Nabard chairman H K Bhanwala today met the chief minister to review the progress of various ongoing projects funded by the bank.

The chief minister requested the Nabard chairman to give funds under the infrastructure development assistance for  developing food parks and other allied activities in the state, according to an official release.

Last year, Nabard had extended Rs 1,200-crore to AP while half of these funds were so far been utilised by the state.  An additional Rs 600-crore would be given to the state, the release said quoting the Nabard chairman.