The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada (SPA Vijayawada), to enhance urban planning, governance, and smart city development across the state. The partnership designates SPA Vijayawada as an AMRUT Centre for Urban Planning and Capacity Building (A-CUPCB) to provide training and advisory support to municipal officials and planners. The initiative emphasizes the use of advanced technologies such as AI, GIS, remote sensing, and IoT to create climate-resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban environments while promoting evidence-based solutions for governance.Read more

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC), in coordination with NTR district officials, has formed a special Vacant Land Tax Committee to recover outstanding dues of over INR 870 crore. Although the VMC raised a demand of INR 237 crore in the last financial year, collections amounted to just INR 19 crore. A major challenge has been identifying landowners who live elsewhere. Officials are now using sale deed records and district databases to trace them. Notices will be issued to top defaulters across all secretariats, beginning with areas where defaults are lowest.Read more

Lulu Group has obtained prime land in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on long-term leases from the Andhra Pradesh government for developing mega shopping malls. Visakhapatnam's project spans 13.74 acres with a 13.5 lakh sq ft mall, while Vijayawada involves 4.15 acres for a 2.23 lakh sq ft retail complex. These allotments come with a 99 year lease and a three-year rent-free construction period under the state's tourism land policy. Critics have raised concerns over public land use, displacement of transport infrastructure, environmental risks, and the concessional deal running against legal norms.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) has initiated the e-tendering process for Phase 1 of the Vijayawada Metro project, marking a major step towards bolstering urban connectivity in the region. This phase, spanning 38.4 km, will feature elevated corridors with 28 stations across two key corridors. The project will be executed on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) basis and incorporates plans for intermodal integration with existing transport modes.Read more

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has shifted its Andhra Pradesh Regional Office operations from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, signalling a stronger institutional presence within the state. The new office was inaugurated by Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar, and will house key departments such as Integrated Banking, Financial Inclusion, Foreign Exchange, and Supervision. Several administrative and support units will also operate from the new location. However, the Hyderabad office will continue handling currency management for the state. Attah Omar Basheer has been appointed as the Regional Director to lead the Vijayawada office.Read more

Residents of Vijayawada have initiated a movement to upgrade the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) into the Greater Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (GVMC). A recent online survey revealed that 90.1% of participants support this transformation. The city's rapid expansion has led to challenges in providing basic civic amenities in newly integrated areas. An upgrade to GVMC would encompass an area of 300 to 400 sq km, making it the largest municipal corporation in Andhra Pradesh.Read more

Earlier this week, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation reported tax collections of INR 252 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a 20% increase from the prior year's total. Key drivers of this rise included a 5% discount for upfront payments and a 50% waiver on interest for pending property and vacant land taxes. Backed by digital adoption, new assessments, and intensified compliance efforts, the civic body also expanded its revenue from water and sewerage taxes, highlighting the effectiveness of a multi-pronged collection strategy.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the INR 11,009 crore Phase 1 of the Vijayawada Metro, covering 38.6 km across two corridors-from Gannavaram to PNBS (25.9 km) and PNBS to Penamaluru (12.76 km). With 34 stations planned, the metro aims to ease traffic and enhance urban mobility. Land acquisition of 91 acres is underway at a cost of INR 1,152 crore. The project follows a Public-Private Partnership model, with 40% funding from the Centre. A future extension to Amaravati is also planned. The metro is expected to transform Vijayawada's transport network, linking key areas and supporting regional development.Read more

The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has launched tenders worth INR 2,300 crore to revitalize infrastructure in Vijayawada. Backed by the World Bank and ADB, projects include roads, drainage, sewage systems, and utility upgrades in Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) areas with INR 448.32 crore allocated to Nekkallu and Sakhamuru. Renovation of MLA and MLC quarters, budgeted at INR 434.32 crore, focuses on structural and utility repairs. Flood mitigation efforts get INR 470 crore, and smart infrastructure in Amaravati is set to cost INR 381.82 crore. Tenders close January 22, aiming for construction by February 1, signaling a transformative step for the capital city.Read more

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has taken swift action following the arrest of two individuals involved in a fraudulent housing scheme. The incident unfolded when a plastic scrap trader, Rama Rao, suspected a fake payment receipt issued by someone named Masthan, raising concerns among authorities. Masthan and Sk Shakeela, operating under the guise of having VMC connections, promised affordable housing in Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) houses, targeting small-scale businessmen and daily wage earners. After collecting nearly 19 lakhs from ten victims, their deceit was exposed, leading to their arrest. The VMC and police have urged residents to avoid intermediaries in housing allocations, emphasizing official procedures and vigilance.Read more