VISAKHAPATNAM: The revised draft master plan-2041 for the Visakhapatnam metropolitan area aims to establish a framework for sustainable urban development that harmonizes infrastructure growth, economic progress, and environmental protection. Key projects highlighted in the plan include metro rail corridors, a suburban railway system, and a coastal corridor, while future growth sectors like IT hubs, data centers, Bhogapuram aerocity, and tourism are also identified.
The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) submitted this revised draft plan to the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday, with a focus on balanced land use, efficient transport systems, and fostering industrial and economic development. VMRDA chairman Pranav Gopal remarked, “These initiatives will enhance living standards throughout the Visakhapatnam metropolitan area, which encompasses Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, and Vizianagaram districts. Once the state government approves the plan, it will be officially announced, and we will begin implementation.”
The proposed land-use distribution indicates that 40.5% of the area will be dedicated to agriculture, while residential areas will cover 17% and mixed-use zones will take up 8.5%. For ecological preservation, a protected-use zone (15.9%) has been established to conserve sensitive environments, forests, and water bodies. The brown zone (6.2%), designated for hilly terrains, will have restricted or carefully regulated development as per VMRDA guidelines.
Additionally, 5.7% is allocated for transportation zones to aid regional logistics, and recreational areas (3.4%) will support community living through parks and leisure facilities. Industrial zones (1.3%) focus on job creation through structured industrial activities, while commercial areas (0.2%) are set aside for business ventures.
Public and semi-public zones (1.3%) will cater to essential services like education and healthcare, while utility zones (0.1%) will cover critical infrastructure needs, including water and waste management. The special use zone (0.6%) accounts for areas requiring specific planning guidance due to cultural or functional importance as outlined in the plan.
These revisions reflect feedback from various governmental departments and stakeholders, including GVMC, the forest department, and others. According to VMRDA officials, the updated draft plan features comprehensive datasets, development strategies, and environmental assessments based on community consultations and expert evaluations to facilitate sustainable regional growth.
VMRDA commissioner N Tej Bharath handed over the revised proposals to the principal secretary for municipal administration and urban development, S Suresh Kumar, at the state secretariat on Friday. This revision was prompted by directives from the state government following the regime change in Andhra Pradesh in 2024. VMRDA was tasked with re-evaluating the prior master plan-2041, which had been approved by the previous government in 2021, to integrate contemporary development trends and stakeholder feedback.
Bharath stated that the plan has been meticulously crafted to meet the needs of an anticipated population of 6.63 million by 2041, addressing residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial, transport, recreational, and public utility demands.
As part of the revision process, VMRDA conducted two rounds of public consultations. The first notification was published in 2025, receiving 3,722 objections and suggestions, which were distilled into 717 unique representations. After thorough technical examination and field verification, 427 representations were accepted into the revised plan, while 290 were excluded due to various planning, technical, legal, and regulatory challenges.
A second notification occurred from February 9 to March 10, 2026, yielding 1,241 objections and suggestions—consolidated into 339 unique cases—mostly regarding proposed road alignments and land-use zoning, among other planning concerns.
