AP forms committee to look into Amaravati, other plans

03 Dec 2019 Editorial Team

The move comes in the backdrop of the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) decision to withhold funding and withdrawing their support for the Amaravati project. Reportedly, the organisations were going to previously provide funding of $500 millionin total, while the Andhra Pradeshgovernment was going to contribute $200 million.

At a recent AIIB event in Mumbai, Laurel Ostfield, Director-General & Company Spokesperson, AIIB, shared with CW, “We were co-financing this project with the World Bank but are no longer funding it. The decision has been made by our investment committee, and the deliberations remain highly confidential.” According to a statement released by the World Bank, on July 15, the Government of India withdrew its request to the bank for financing the proposed Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has been informed that the proposed project is no longer under preparation following the government’s decision. However, the World Bank continues to support the state with an over $1 billion programme that covers the health, agriculture, energy and disaster management sectors.

Going by reports, it remains unclear if the formation of the committee is solely related to determining the scope of the Amaravati project. Further clarity is expected only after the submission of the requested report.

In a bid to review and study developmental plans in Andhra Pradesh as well as the upcoming capital of Amaravati, the state government has reportedly set up a committee consisting of five members, who are urban planning experts. They have been charged with the responsibility to analyse the project plans that have been implemented up until now and recommend an extensive strategy to ensure the state is developing and growing on all fronts. The newly formed committee has been directed to submit its report in mid-December. The move comes in the backdrop of the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) decision to withhold funding and withdrawing their support for the Amaravati project. Reportedly, the organisations were going to previously provide funding of $500 millionin total, while the Andhra Pradeshgovernment was going to contribute $200 million. At a recent AIIB event in Mumbai, Laurel Ostfield, Director-General & Company Spokesperson, AIIB, shared with CW, “We were co-financing this project with the World Bank but are no longer funding it. The decision has been made by our investment committee, and the deliberations remain highly confidential.” According to a statement released by the World Bank, on July 15, the Government of India withdrew its request to the bank for financing the proposed Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has been informed that the proposed project is no longer under preparation following the government’s decision. However, the World Bank continues to support the state with an over $1 billion programme that covers the health, agriculture, energy and disaster management sectors. Going by reports, it remains unclear if the formation of the committee is solely related to determining the scope of the Amaravati project. Further clarity is expected only after the submission of the requested report.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..