Sat Dec 13 13:03:07 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:

Summary:

The Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department (MA&UD) has approved ₹479 crore for the first phase of the City Roads Improvement Program (CRIP) in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. The program will overhaul city roads, focusing on quality and long-term maintenance. The program employs the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) – Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), where 40% of the cost is paid during construction, and the remaining 60% is paid over 10 years of operation and maintenance. The program plans to improve streets and transform the entire urban corridor ecosystem. The AP Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited will serve as the Independent Engineer. The RFP structure encourages diverse contractor participation.

News Article:

Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada to Receive Road Upgrade Boost with ₹479 Crore CRIP

VIJAYAWADA, December 13, 2025 (The Hindu e-Paper) – Major road improvements are coming to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, thanks to a ₹479 crore investment in the first phase of the City Roads Improvement Program (CRIP). The Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Department announced the approval of the project, which aims to overhaul the condition of city roads in Andhra Pradesh.

The initiative will focus on 110 km of priority urban corridors, with 88.54 km in Visakhapatnam (costing ₹306.95 crore) and 23.54 km in Vijayawada (estimated at ₹171.14 crore). The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) are expected to release their Requests for Proposals (RFPs) next week.

MA&UD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar emphasized the program’s focus on quality, structural integrity, safety, and contractor accountability over a 10-year period. The CRIP will utilize the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) – Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). This model sees 40% of the project cost released during the 12-month construction phase against verified milestones, with the remaining 60% paid out over a 10-year Operations & Maintenance (O&M) period through semi-annual payments.

“The HAM structure incentivizes contractors to prioritize durable construction and reduce long-term maintenance costs,” stated Mr. Suresh Kumar.

The CRIP goes beyond basic road resurfacing, encompassing comprehensive redevelopment of streets and transformation of the entire urban corridor ecosystem. The AP Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited has been appointed as the Independent Engineer for the project. The RFP structure is designed to encourage participation from a wide range of bidders, including both standalone and consortium-based firms, with the aim of involving capable local companies.

Residents can expect improved road quality, enhanced safety, and a more efficient urban transportation network as a result of this significant investment.

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