Visakhapatnam's 30-year master plan is set for finalization within four months, focusing on urban infrastructure, sustainable growth, and public participation. The plan includes INR 500 crore investment for 35 new roads to ease congestion, especially near Bhogapuram International Airport. The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project will enhance urban mobility, following successful models in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Upgrades in water supply and drainage will tackle shortages, inspired by Chennai and Hyderabad's initiatives. Overseen by VMRDA, the plan ensures public consultation via online access, promoting transparency. Balancing industrial growth and environmental sustainability, the initiative aims to modernize Visakhapatnam's urban landscape.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government has outlined land acquisition details for the Vizag metro rail project, requiring 99.8 acres, including nine acres of private land. Phase one, covering 46.23 km with 42 stations, has an estimated cost of INR 11,498 crore. Key corridors include Vizag Steel Plant to Kommadi, Gurudwara to Old Post Office, and Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair. Political delays slowed progress, but the NDA-led government is now seeking full central funding. With tenders pending approval, the project is set to enhance Vizag's transport infrastructure, though land acquisition and funding challenges remain critical hurdles.Read more

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is mapping land use for newly merged mandals, covering 2,456 sq km, to develop a master plan. Using DGPS and topographic surveys, VMRDA will digitize cadastral data and overlay satellite imagery for accurate land assessments. The expansion follows the 2020 and 2021 jurisdictional extensions, adding 14 mandals. The maps will integrate utility data, infrastructure networks, and approved layouts to ensure sustainable urban development. This initiative aims to provide structured regional planning for Visakhapatnam's growth, aligning future infrastructure needs with expanding urbanization.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has revamped its building plan approval system, significantly improving timelines over the past two months. Previously marred by delays, the online system introduced in 2016 now ensures faster communication of deficiencies and earlier approvals. Notably, 71% of plans are approved within the first week, compared to 20% earlier. In parallel, the Andhra Pradesh government is introducing additional reforms, including a single-window system and a new policy allowing municipal approvals to be bypassed for buildings under 15 metres. These changes aim to streamline processes and expedite clearances.Read more

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The construction of Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) facility at Madhurawada IT SEZ is advancing rapidly, supported by a proposal from Dallas Technology Centre (DTC) to lease and expand its premises. The state government approved DTC's requests for sub-leasing, occupancy certification, and 1,600 sqm of additional space at INR 6,720/sqm. Initially allocated a 7,774.90 sqm plot in 2016, DTC plans to accommodate 2,000 IT professionals in Phase I, necessitating further expansion. Following State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) endorsement, relevant departments are expediting the project. The facility is poised to boost employment and drive economic growth in the region.Read more

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The establishment of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, is progressing as the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has invited e-tenders for constructing the General Manager's office complex. With an estimated cost of INR 149.16 crore, the 12-story facility is part of efforts to operationalize the long-awaited zone, which was first announced in 2019. The move addresses historical grievances of north Andhra Pradesh residents, who felt excluded since the formation of the South-Central Railway Zone in 1966. With 52.2 acres of land in Mudasarlova allocated for the project, and the Detailed Project Report under review, the new zone is poised to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region, fostering economic growth and transforming Visakhapatnam into a critical railway hub.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is launching a pilot project using drones to monitor building plan compliance and detect unauthorised constructions. This initiative, which will begin in Zone II (Madhurawada, Kommadi), aims to streamline the identification of structural violations and could potentially increase GVMC's revenue by INR 100 crore through better property reassessment and taxation. Drones will replace traditional methods, offering precise geo-referenced data and real-time aerial footage to identify violations. The project also introduces a Vacant Land Tax (VLT) scheme to encourage landowners to utilise vacant plots, further boosting municipal revenue.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to create the Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan (GCAP), which aims to integrate climate mitigation strategies into local initiatives. The draft plan proposes 42 measures across key sectors, including energy, transportation, and waste management, with a potential 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034. High-impact initiatives include promoting electric vehicles and enhancing building codes. GVMC plans to refine the draft with input from local stakeholders, positioning the GCAP as a vital part of its broader Eco-Vizag campaign for sustainable development.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) aims to bring 10,000 unassessed properties into the tax system this financial year, having already identified 4,600 such properties. It also found 877 underassessed properties and collected INR 135 crore through early bird property tax incentives, surpassing last year's INR 118 crore. GVMC's total property tax collection for 2023-24 stands at INR 457 crore, exceeding its target of INR 420 crore. The GVMC focuses on addressing unassessed and underassessed properties to boost revenue and has proposed enforcement teams to remove unauthorised constructions and encroachments while improving vacant land tax collection.Read more

Visakhapatnam's housing initiative is progressing as District Collector Harendira Prasad directs the Housing Department to update the status of over 71,000 houses. Out of 1.39 lakh planned houses, approximately 1.29 lakh have been sanctioned, with 23,995 completed. The initiative spans 138 rural and 64 urban layouts. Prasad emphasises a 100-day action plan, daily progress reports, and geo-tagging for transparency. The move addresses the growing demand for affordable housing, especially post-COVID-19, and aims to improve living conditions for residents through efficient and accountable project management.Read more

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's largest coastal city, faces critical development challenges amid renewed hopes under a new government. With stalled projects like the metro rail and Bhogapuram beach corridor, residents eagerly await progress on infrastructure improvements and job creation initiatives exceeding INR 5,000 crore. The Bhogapuram International Airport stands as a beacon of promise, contrasting with delays in the south coast railway zone project due to land acquisition issues. Despite its educational prowess, translating talent into high-paying jobs remains a hurdle. Selected as a pilot city by Niti Aayog, Visakhapatnam aims for economic revitalization through strategic investments, signalling a pivotal moment for its future growth.Read more

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The auction of RINL (Vizag Steel Plant) land plots in the port city by the National Land Monetization Commission (NLMC) garnered keen interest from bidders, including NRIs. Held on March 14 and 15, the auction attracted 220 participants, resulting in the sale of 72 land plots or blocks totaling 29,270 square yards for INR 243 crore. While 63 plots and 9 blocks were sold, the remaining properties will be auctioned in Phase II. The plots, ranging from 129 to 5350 square yards, fetched prices between INR 70,200 and INR 85,800 per square yard, reflecting the demand for well-located properties in Visakhapatnam.Read more

Curated Living Solutions, under the Divyasree Group, launches its first Green Field project in Visakhapatnam, providing 500 beds catering to Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ) employees and students. This venture, the sole housing on AMTZ grounds, marks a novel collaboration boosting industrial housing. With plans to expand to 50,000 beds in five years and a robust portfolio, the company eyes significant growth in alternative housing. Their pioneering initiatives signal a promising trajectory, drawing parallels to commercial real estate for investment potential and service standards.Read more

GMR is securing a INR 4,000-crore loan for the construction of a greenfield international airport in Visakhapatnam (Vizag). Led by India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL), the consortium is providing a 14-year loan with an approximate interest cost of 10%. The Vizag airport, GMR's fourth major airport in India, is planned in three phases, accommodating 6 million passengers initially and scaling to 40 million once fully developed. The airport aims to boost GMR's aviation business and serve as a significant development for northern Andhra Pradesh. The loan involves moratoriums during construction and the initial operational year.Read more

The urban development authority's plan to auction 14 bulk land parcels in Visakhapatnam on September 29 and 30 has encountered a disappointing lack of interest. Despite high hopes for robust bidding and revenue generation, potential buyers have shown little enthusiasm for these prime properties. The VMRDA's inability to attract participants raises concerns about the region's real estate market and economic prospects. The fate of these valuable land parcels now hangs in the balance as officials contemplate alternative strategies to spur interest and revitalize the auction process.Read more

The proposed Visakhapatnam metro rail project, initially introduced nine years ago, remains stuck in the detailed project report (DPR) phase. Despite preparing a DPR and shortlisting bidders in 2019, the project's progress halted due to political changes and financial challenges, including the withdrawal of funding by the Export-Import Bank of Korea. A new DPR, encompassing additional areas, was later prepared. As of now, the estimated cost for the extended 76.9-kilometer project stands at 14,309 crore, with tram corridors proposed for about 60 kilometres. The project's future depends on approvals and funding availability from the Union government.Read more

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) plans to auction 87.8 acres of land in Madhurawada, with an upset price of Rs30,000 per square yard, potentially yielding nearly Rs1,200 crore. This significant auction, a first for VMRDA in the upscale Madhurawada area, includes 14 bulk land parcels, each ranging from 3 to 12 acres. Madhurawada, known for its premium residential and IT zones, has garnered attention over the years. This auction's impact on the real estate market and potential interest from top builders across the state is anticipated, especially given its strategic location and mixed-use zoning.Read more

Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is embarking on a significant project, constructing 46 reconstituted (RC) layouts over approximately 1,215 acres for farmers who participated in the land pooling process for one-cent layouts. The initiative comes at a cost of around Rs 200 crore. This follows the pooling of 5,000 acres for one-cent layouts in the combined Visakhapatnam district, with VMRDA undertaking the responsibility to create these layouts. Notably, VMRDA has already developed 83 one-cent layouts, covering over 4,800 acres, benefiting around 1.42 lakh homeless individuals.Read more

A prime 13.59-acre land parcel adjacent to Visakhapatnam's RK Beach area, previously earmarked for the UAE-based LuLu Group, is set to hit the auction block. Recently transferred to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), the urban development body is preparing to initiate the sale proceedings, with an expected revenue in the hundreds of crores. Originally designated for a multi-billion rupee project by LuLu Group, the land was reclaimed by the YSRCP government in 2019. With a reserve price of around ?1,452 crore, the auction is poised to attract attention due to its strategic location and road access.Read more