VMRDA Submits Revised Master Plan-2041 to State Govt
Officials said the revision was undertaken following directions from the state government to review and rectify issues identified in the earlier draft.
Visakhapatnam:The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has submitted the revised draft of the Master Plan-2041 to the State Government for approval after incorporating changes based on public feedback and stakeholder consultations.
Officials said the revision was undertaken following directions from the state government to review and rectify issues identified in the earlier draft.
The authority examined 1,241 objections and suggestions received from the public and reviewed 339 specific issues before finalising the revised proposals. Metropolitan commissioner N. Tej Bharat submitted the plan to municipal administration and urban development principal secretary S. Suresh Kumar at the Secretariat in Velagapudi.
The Master Plan-2041 has been designed to accommodate a projected population of 66.30 lakh and proposes a scientific land-use framework covering residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial, transport, recreational and public utility zones.
Priority has been accorded to the development of a 3,913-km road network, metro rail corridors, a suburban rail system, connectivity to Bhogapuram Airport and a coastal development corridor.
Officials said the plan incorporates inputs from industry, tourism, the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, APIIC, the National Highways Authority and other departments. It has also been aligned with major projects such as Bhogapuram International Airport, the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, port-led development initiatives, national highway expansion and programmes under the Visakhapatnam Economic Region framework.
Under the proposed land-use pattern, residential zones will cover 744 sq. km, accounting for 39 per cent of the urbanisable area. Mixed-use zones will extend over 372 sq. km, while industrial land use has been earmarked across 55 sq. km. Recreational and tourism zones will cover 147 sq. km and transport infrastructure 248 sq. km.
Public and semi-public uses have been allocated 56 sq. km, while public utilities will occupy 4 sq. km. Hilly terrain accounts for 273 sq. km. The total urbanisable area is proposed at 1,906 sq. km, representing 43.52 per cent of the metropolitan region's total area of 4,380 sq. km.
Outside the urbanisable zone, agricultural land covers 1,774 sq. km, while forests and water bodies account for 354 sq. km and 345 sq. km respectively.
Officials said the plan would serve as the guiding framework for land use, transportation, industrial and economic development, environmental protection and urban growth across Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Vizianagaram districts after receiving government approval and notification.
Chief planning officer Divyalatha, planning officers Kishore Mounika Mahapatra and Arunavalli, and panneer Selvam of Lee Associates were present during the submission of the revised plan.
