Unmanned electric buses to ply in new Andhra capital

Amaravati, March 22 (IANS) Unmanned electric buses will run on the roads of this upcoming city, one of the nine planned in the residual Andhra Pradesh after Telangana was carved out of it.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that only electric buses and vehicles will be permitted to ply in the city to prevent pollution.

Naidu held a meeting here with Foster and Partners and Hafeez Contractor -- the leading architects designing the government complex.

Based on the suggestions received in the earlier meeting, they came up with a broad plan.

Mooting the idea of a vehicle-free zone, they stressed the need to encourage alternative sustainable methods of transport, provision for electric vehicles, dedicated bicycle and pedestrians routes and use of canals for water taxis.

Foster and Partners made a presentation highlighting the need for integrating green and blue spaces. It said that the city would consist of 51 per cent green, 10 per cent water, 14 per cent road and 25 per cent building footprint.

They suggested that government complexes should be open to all, cultural buildings should be integrated within green and blue areas, city squares and urban squares should be inclusive and attractive.

With regard to sustainable energy use, Chris Bubb of Foster and Partners said that energy consumption demand should be reduced by 40-60 per cent.

For sustainable water usage, the representatives suggested that rainwater harvesting and storm water management should be introduced.

To promote Andhra Pradesh's culture, heritage and arts the representatives said that the architectural heritage should be represented in the arrangement and format of buildings and spaces.