High-level officials from GEF and UNIDO review the GEF-funded VMC project on sustainable city planning, carbon emission reduction and PPP models in urban development
The mission's primary objective was to evaluate the advancements in the GEF-funded VMC project, amounting to approximately 12 crores, and to scrutinise ongoing and proposed projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The team visited the Jindal Waste to Energy plant in Guntur as part of the assessment.
Addressing the delegation, VMC Chief Swapnil DinakarPundarkar provided insights into the GEF-funded project 'Rejuvenation of STPs and DP Stations and Installation of Biogas Energy Plants in VMC.'
He underscored the project's significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and lowering Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, aligning with National Green Tribunal (NGT) norms. The discussion also covered various PPP projects in Vijayawada, including E3, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and KL Rao Park.
The team conducted a field visit to VMC's Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) after the meeting. The GEF-UNIDO Sustainable Cities Impact Programme (SCIAP) initiative is underway in 28 cities across 11 developing nations, featuring five pilot cities in India: Mysuru, Jaipur, Bhopal, Vijayawada, and Guntur.
Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, SCIAP aims to contribute to sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The critical components under UNIDO SCIAP India in Vijayawada include strategic sustainable city planning, investment and technology demonstration projects, capacity building for municipal officials and elected representatives in water and sanitation sectors, along with assistance in improving the financial creditworthiness of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The assessment mission, led by representatives from GEF and UNIDO, included Neeraj Kumar Negi, Senior Evaluation Officer, GEF, Washington DC, USA; Alexander Francis Burger, International Expert of Public-Private Participation (PPP) at Independent Evaluation Office, GEF, Washington DC, USA; Nand Pal Singh, Senior Technical Advisor, SCIAP India, UNIDO, New Delhi; and Venkata Ramana Rao Perkari, Urban Technology & Investment Specialist (City Coordinator), SCIAP India, Vijayawada, and Guntur.
This mission underscores the commitment of GEF and the UN Industrial Development Organisation to promoting sustainable development in urban centres and ensuring the success of projects aligned with global environmental goals.
During the assessment, VMC Chief Swapnil DinakarPundarkar reiterated the project's impact on reducing carbon emissions and lowering Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, aligning with National Green Tribunal (NGT) norms. The discussion also touched upon various PPP projects in Vijayawada and others.