New Delhi/Vijayawada, Dec 28 (IANS): Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will implement a technical cooperation project for traffic and transportation in the new capital region of Andhra Pradesh.

JICA on Wednesday signed the Record of Discussions (R/D) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of India for implementing the project titled 'Comprehensive Traffic and Transport Study for Andhra Pradesh Capital Region'.

The study will be implemented in coordination with Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA).

The record was signed in the national capital in the presence of Sreedhar Cherukuri, Commissioner, APCRDA; Ajay Jain, Principal Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Takayoshi Tange, Senior Representative, JICA India office.

The APCRDA was enacted through the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act 2014 with an area of 8,603.32 square km to establish the new capital of Andhra Pradesh and for planning, coordination, execution, supervision, financing, promoting and securing the planned development of the capital region.

As existing large urban centres such as Vijayawada and Guntur are expected to grow rapidly along with the new capital, APCRDA requested technical cooperation from the Government of Japan to develop the comprehensive traffic and transportation study for the APCR.

"The main objective of our support is to contribute to social and economic development of the state of Andhra Pradesh by formulating a Comprehensive Smart Transport Master Plan for the APCR, which may lead ideal transportation, and also by enhancing the capacity of APCRDA officials and concerned stakeholders in the transportation planning sector through the experience of the development of the master plans," Takema Sakamoto, Chief Representative, JICA India Office, said.