The State Government has drawn up an ambitious plan of Rs2,000 crore to develop the Arpa river bank in Bilaspur district during the next seven years.For this, Government has constituted a ‘Special Area Development Authority’ (SADA) for the development of the Arpa river bank near Bilaspur city.
The Government has invited proposals from interested national and international institutions for the development of the river bank on a PPP model.The Authority has prepared a project for the development of the river and is now in search of organisations that would be interested in developing the river on a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
According to SADA, about 653-hectare area on the banks of the river would be developed. This area is 13.4 km in length. Commercial, residential, entertainment and other institutional facilities would be developed in this area. On both the sides of the river, 13.4-km-long retaining wall, houses and commercial complexes would be constructed, besides bridge, roads and walkways. Water supply, sewerage, drainage, electricity supply would be provided in the area.
The estimated cost of all the works is Rs2,000 crore. The development works would be taken up in phases during the next seven years.
Of the total 653-hectare area, some of the land is owned privately. In lieu of acquisition of private land, the affected people would be given land at other areas. After development for about 267-hectare land will be made available for sale. By selling this land, the developer could recover the invested amount. The institutions have been asked to submit their proposals by July 31.