A wrap-up meeting with World Bank Implementation Support Mission Team held today in the presence of I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary in connection with Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP).
The APDRP will enhance the capabilities of Government of Andhra Pradesh entities in managing disaster risks, enhancing preparedness and achieving resilient recovery. Project Management Unit (PMU) with the intervention of Fire Department and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) will entail in strengthening up the State Disaster Management Authority, Urban Disaster Risk Reduction and Response preparedness, strengthening emergency response capacity, feasibility study for integrated programme for risk transfer and updating the design guidelines for infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary informed that the main objective of APDRP is to restore and improve rural connectivity, public services and livelihood opportunities in targeted communities of the coastal areas of HUDHUD affected, specifically the four heavily impacted districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari in the State and increase the capacity of the State entities to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.
The proposed project is having seven components viz., resilient electrical network; restoration of connectivity and shelter infrastructure; restoration and project of the beach front; restoration of environmental services and facilities and livelihood support; technical assistance and capacity building; incremental operating cost; and contingency emergency response. Ratio of expenditure is 67.60% by the Bank and 32.40% by the State Government.
Under the project 1st implementation mission – the following implementation arrangement are to be made: PMU to set up office in Visakhapatnam, staffed with Deputy Project Manager, MIS, Environment and Social, Procurement, GRM, Communication and other specialists – immediately; All Implementing Agencies to set up PIUs – immediately; Forest Dept and VUDA have set up PIUs, to be strengthened; Budget heads to be created and allocations made at the earliest and PMU to clear pending proposals from PIUs regarding setting up of offices and appointment of personnel.
The Chief Secretary issued instructions to GVMC and VUDA officials to take up and to complete the beach front restoration works by the end of December 2015 and it has to be developed with international standards.
Prl. Secretary Revenue J.C. Sharma, Secretary Finance M. Ravichandra and others attended the meeting. (INN)