With the bifurcation process having reached the final stages, all eyes are now on the future of Vijayawada and Guntur, which Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu promises to develop as ‘twin cities’ on the lines of Hyderabad-Secunderabad.

More importantly, Vijayawada finds a place in the list of 100 ‘smart’ cities envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Here it is pertinent to mention that Vijayawada has been recognised as a Global City by McKinsey and Company with the year 2025 as the growth horizon.

A ‘smart’ city’s urban competitiveness is enhanced by advanced technologies including Information and Communication (ICT) and other means. “The city has the potential to become a Smart City over a period of 10-15 years and what is needed is sustainability,” says N. Sridharan, Director, School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada.