Tag: visakhapatnam

CommercialLatest Stories

5 IT Firms Receive Land in Visakhapatnam, Commit ₹19,000 Crore

VISAKHAPATNAM: The state’s tech ecosystem receives a major boost as the government allocates land parcels to five IT companies, including data center projects, with an estimated investment of ₹19,000 crore. The government approved the allotment of 3.6 acres at the IT SEZ in Madhurawada to Sify Infinit Spaces Limited at ₹1 crore per acre, mandating that operations begin within two years. Additionally, Sify has been granted 25 acres in Paradesipalem at ₹50 lakh per acre for establishing a 550 MW data center, with a projected investment of ₹15,266 crore and the potential to create 600 jobs. Phenom People Private Limited…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Visakhapatnam: Cherlopalikhandam Township Plan Revived After 18 Years

Representative image created by AI VISAKHAPATNAM: After nearly 18 years of challenges, the long-standing issue surrounding the Cherlopalikhandam land near Anakapalli is finally resolved. This paves the way for a 58-acre integrated township project. Initially proposed in 2007 under the land pooling scheme (LPS), the project faced delays due to complications concerning 16 acres for which owner consent was not secured. The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA), now known as the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), identified 86 acres in Cherlopalikhandam village for a major layout in 2007 due to high public demand. Of this, 62.37 acres were private…

IndustryLatest Stories

Only 29% of Plots Sold in Andhra’s MIG Housing Scheme

Representative image created by AI VISAKHAPATNAM: Nearly three years after its launch, Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Smart Townships’ initiative, now known as ‘NTR Smart Townships’ under the new administration, has struggled to fulfill its commitment to providing affordable housing options for middle-income groups (MIG). Out of 36 projects initiated across various Assembly constituencies, a mere 29% of plots have been sold, generating only 23% of the anticipated revenue. Additionally, urban development authorities (UDAs) have approved 38 more projects across 37 constituencies, currently in diverse stages of development. The scheme’s underperformance can be attributed to several factors, including an income cap of ₹18…

CommercialLatest Stories

Andhra HC Denies Stay on TCS Land Allotment in Vizag

Representational image VIJAYAWADA: On Wednesday, the high court ruled against halting the land allocation to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Visakhapatnam. The court noted that many states offer land to companies at minimal costs to attract investments, questioning what issue arises if Andhra Pradesh adopts a similar approach. However, the high court indicated that the allotment is contingent upon the final decision regarding the petition. Nakka Nammi Grace, president of the Society for Protection of Civil Property and Environmental Rights in Visakhapatnam, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), arguing that the government’s allocation of land to TCS violates APIIC guidelines.…

IndustryLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh extends LRS guidelines cut-off to June 30

VIJAYAWADA: The state government has instructed municipal commissioners and urban development authority vice-chairpersons to address all outstanding applications under the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS). In light of the cabinet’s recent endorsement of the proposal, the municipal administration department has disseminated comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of the LRS regulations. This initiative is expected to benefit plot owners in unauthorized layouts covering approximately 18,000 acres statewide. As per reports, the Director of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) provided the state government with data indicating that around 14,535 unauthorized layouts, spanning nearly 78,452 acres, were recorded in the UCIMS app by Urban…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

AP CM Seeks Future-Ready Master Plan for Vizag Amid Investment Growth

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive master plan for Visakhapatnam, tailored to future investments and needs. He remarked that numerous companies are flocking to the city, where available land is scarce. During a meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) on Wednesday, Naidu emphasized the importance of securing appropriate land for incoming investment projects and developing the necessary infrastructure for future growth. In response to concerns raised about traffic and infrastructure difficulties in cities like Pune and Bengaluru, Naidu advised developing a sustainable master plan that would cater to Visakhapatnam’s requirements over the…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh to Reintroduce BPS & LRS to Curb Illegal Builds

Representative image created by AI VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government plans to reintroduce the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS) and Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) aimed at regulating illegal structures and layouts across the state. These schemes were in effect during the TDP administration from 2014 to 2019. In response to the rising number of constructions lacking necessary permissions, the government aims to relaunch these initiatives to also boost state revenues. The cabinet is anticipated to review the proposal in their upcoming meeting. The municipal administration and urban development department is preparing a strategy to address the issue of illegal structures and…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Two-Day Consultations on Visakhapatnam Development Plan

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), Pranav Gopal, and Metropolitan Commissioner KS Viswanathan will be at the VMRDA office on July 16 and 17 (Wednesday and Thursday) to gather public feedback on the master plan. This marks the conclusion of a month-long consultation process aimed at receiving objections and suggestions from the public and local representatives regarding the master plan spanning the VMRDA’s jurisdiction, which includes the districts of Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram. Although the initial plan was developed during the YSRCP’s tenure, the new government has opted to revise it due to widespread claims…

IndustryLatest Stories

Land registration freeze over ‘tampered’ records in AP

Representative image created by AI VIJAYAWADA: The state government appears to be at a standstill regarding the contentious issue of free-hold lands. Registration for approximately 20 lakh acres of assigned lands has been halted due to suspicions of record tampering. Despite conducting village-level revenue meetings to review land records, the government has failed to address the free-hold lands issue over the past year. Hundreds of thousands of farmers are struggling to sell their lands while the government delays in lifting the ban on registrations for lands marked in the prohibitory lands register. A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been appointed…

IndustryLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh Introduces Self-Certification for Building Permits

VIJAYAWADA: In a significant initiative to streamline business operations and spur real estate development, the state government has announced updated guidelines for the Self-Certification Scheme (SCS) 2025 concerning building permits. The new framework is part of the state’s broader vision to simplify the building approval process while promoting a transparent and inclusive approach to urban development. It aims to empower both citizens and licensed technical personnel (LTPs) through a trust-based approval system, representing a shift towards responsible self-governance instead of stringent regulation. S Suresh Kumar, the principal secretary for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), issued a government order on…