VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the updated VMRDA Master Plan-2041, which includes significant development initiatives such as the coastal corridor linking Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram, projects in the Visakhapatnam Economic Region, the Bay City project, and the proposed Bhogapuram International Airport with its accompanying Aerocity, along with GMR Manasa Aviation Educity and other essential infrastructure projects.
The new plan outlines several growth corridors, including proposed IT and data center hubs in Madhurawada, Anandapuram, and Kapuluppada, as well as the Bay City brownfield development corridor extending from Kailasagiri to Bheemili. Additionally, it incorporates tourism and economic development projects involving six designated tourism land parcels and infrastructure required to support long-term regional growth surrounding the Bhogapuram airport.
To enhance regional mobility, the plan includes plans for Metro Rail, BRTS, a suburban railway network, train corridors, and stations. Authorities have pinpointed 15 priority corridors for improved access to Bhogapuram International Airport, with seven currently being developed.
The Master Plan-2041 also covers vital environmental and physical planning aspects—alignments for the Polavaram Canal and Taraka Rama Theertha Sagar Canal, boundaries of the Chippada forest, and updated village maps for water bodies, along with 12 solid waste management assets.
VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner N Tej Bharath stated that the revisions were made based on feedback from various government departments and stakeholders, including VMRDA, GVMC, forest and irrigation departments, NHAI, GMR, Railways, APTDC, APIIC, DTCP, ADCL, and the public.
“The proposals and data incorporated present a solid framework for guiding future growth in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region, focusing on balanced development, enhanced connectivity, environmental safeguarding, economic viability, and improved quality of life by 2041,” said Tej Bharath.
VMRDA Chairman Pranav Gopal indicated that the revision was conducted openly following numerous representations and complaints about the previous government’s master plan.
“I raised the issue with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The government initiated a re-evaluation of the master plan to address its deficiencies. We held constituency-level meetings, making the consultation process transparent. Every concern and suggestion was reviewed and integrated into the updated plan where relevant,” he explained.
According to Pranav Gopal, the revised Master Plan-2041 encompasses updated datasets, infrastructure projects, development proposals, and environmental safeguards to facilitate sustainable and cohesive regional growth. The plan includes 820 LRS layouts, 77 one-cent layouts, 32 GVMC layouts, all VMRDA-approved layouts, 1,123 GVMC open spaces, and 166 GVMC-approved building plans.
