Arilova's Rise from Illegal Hub to Thriving Smart City

Visakhapatnam: The Arilova area in Visakhapatnam, once notorious for illegal activities, has transformed into a bustling smart city.

Strategically located between the Mudasarlova reservoir and Hanumanthwaka Junction, Arilova has evolved into one of the busiest residential areas in Vizag, now home to over 30,000 residents.

The transformation was facilitated by the establishment of several governmental and private sector initiatives in recent years. A health city and a central jail and an 8-story GVMC building are turning Arilova into a key residential and commercial hub. An added attraction for the future is the setting up of the headquarters of a new railway zone there.

The introduction of the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) has improved connectivity, with numerous buses now serving the area.

The roots of this transformation can be traced back to the time of NT Rama Rao as chief minister in the mid-1980s. He organised housing there for some 3,000 sex workers. This reduced illegal activities and fostered community development.

The establishment of Srikanth Nagar Colony, named after GVMC commissioner N Srikanth was a major push. It played a crucial role in providing land for the BRTS road widening. This helped in the faster development of the area.

The emergence of the Health City facilitated the opening of numerous hospitals and diagnostic centers, creating job opportunities for locals in healthcare. Facilities such as VIMS and LV Prasad Eye Hospital have contributed to this growth. Additionally, an influx of hotels feeding visitors to the Health City has boosted local revenues.

Arilova is poised to become a sports hub. Plans are on for a PV Sindhu sports academy and upgrades for the historic East Point Golf Club (EPGC). These aim to host national and international tournaments following allocation of government land to facilitate expansion of these facilities.

Srinivas, an organising secretary of CREDAI, said, “While bulk land for construction is limited due to the existence of independent houses and rehabilitation colonies, property values have increased significantly. The rate quoted is 1 lakh per square foot on the main roads.

Meanwhile, the AP government has proposed the construction of a railway zone in Arilova. The project will include a general manager's office complex with 12 floors, to be built at an estimated cost of ₹149.16 crore on 52.22 acres of land. This is expected to be ready for occupation in about two years’ time, solidifying Arilova’s status as a growth zone in Vizag’s urban landscape.