Latest StoriesResidential

Soaring Land Prices Drive Visakhapatnam’s Vertical Housing Boom

Representative AI image VISAKHAPATNAM: The surge in land prices and a limited supply of well-located plots have prompted a transformation in the city’s residential landscape. Developers are increasingly favoring high-rise constructions—ranging from 40 to 50 stories—over low-rise structures of 5 to 15 floors. As new investments flood into Vizag, land costs in prime areas have soared to a point where low-rise developments are typically no longer feasible. Vertical housing offers buyers lower per-square-foot prices (₹1,000–₹1,500 less) and superior amenities compared to standalone buildings. High-rise development enhances land-use efficiency, ensuring projects remain economically viable. Developers cite the necessity of distributing high…

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Visakhapatnam: GVMC Starts Zone-Wise Development Plans Post-Reorg

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has expanded its administrative structure from eight to ten zones and is now in the process of crafting detailed zonal and ward-level development plans. This restructuring is intended to enhance grassroots administration and better align municipal governance with Assembly constituencies. Previously, with the eight-zone system, there were frequent mismatches, leading to wards being assigned to zones that did not correspond with their constituencies. This situation caused coordination difficulties, procedural delays, and gaps in service delivery. For instance, wards in the Visakhapatnam East and North constituencies fell under different zones, necessitating complex cross-constituency coordination…

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Andhra’s First Slum Rehabilitation Authority in Visakhapatnam

Representative AI image VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has announced plans to amend the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act of 1979, marking a significant step towards establishing a Slum Rehabilitation Authority in Andhra Pradesh. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of urban redevelopment under the newly introduced Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) program. GVMC has initiated pilot projects for slum redevelopment in Velampeta and Indira Gandhi Nagar, submitting proposals to the state government. Both localities are set to be transformed into high-rise residential complexes. Currently, residents face challenges related to inadequate housing, cramped living conditions, poor sanitation, and a…

Latest StoriesResidential

Andhra Pradesh to Build Homes for 177 Velampeta Slum Families

VISAKHAPATNAM: The government of Andhra Pradesh has announced plans to build homes for 177 families residing in the Velampeta slum area of Visakhapatnam. This decision came during a meeting led by P Narayana, the municipal administration and urban development minister, with officials from the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), including GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg and VMRDA metropolitan commissioner Tej Bharath, held in Amaravati. Financial decisions regarding the housing project will be made shortly. In December, Minister Narayana visited Velampeta Lakshmi Nagar slum in the Vizag South constituency, accompanied by local representatives and officials. Residents, many of whom are daily…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

CREDAI Calls for Centralized STPs for Safer Vizag Operations

VISAKHAPATNAM: Addressing rising concerns regarding the operations of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in large apartment complexes, CREDAI-Visakhapatnam is advocating for a structured and centralized system to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. According to government regulations, high-rise residential buildings with more than 100 dwelling units are mandated to install STPs. While these systems are crucial for wastewater treatment and recycling, their routine operation is often handed over to apartment associations post-construction. Many associations opt to hire third-party agencies for management due to a lack of technical expertise in-house. CREDAI leaders warn that inadequate vetting of these operators is becoming a…

Latest StoriesResidential

EESL to Provide Energy-Efficient Solutions to PMAY in Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI: EESL Energy Efficiency Services has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh State Housing Corporation Ltd (APSHCL) to implement energy-efficient solutions. As part of this initiative, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) will receive a starter package that includes four 5-star rated LED bulbs, two LED batten tube lights, and two brushless direct current (BLDC) ceiling fans, according to an EESL statement. EESL has partnered with APSHCL to launch a significant energy-efficiency campaign under the PMAY initiative, aimed at enhancing housing for all. Published On Jan 30, 2026 at 07:17 AM IST Join a community of…

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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet OKs ₹4,451 Cr Loan Guarantee for PMAY

AMARAVATI: On Wednesday, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet sanctioned a government guarantee to APTIDCO for a loan exceeding Rs 4,000 crore to construct housing units and related infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Additionally, the Cabinet approved the enhancement of Piduguralla Government Medical College through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A press release stated, “The Cabinet has agreed to provide a government guarantee to Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation for a loan of Rs 4,451 crore aimed at constructing housing units and associated infrastructure under PMAY.” Recognizing athlete Jyothi Yarraji’s achievements, the Cabinet also approved a grant…

Latest StoriesResidential

Andhra Pradesh’s 60-40 Model Reduces MIG Plot Costs

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated registrations for middle-income group (MIG) plots under the Dr. NTR Smart Township scheme, utilizing a 60–40 model. In this approach, 60% of the land value is categorized as the sale price while 40% represents development charges, effectively lowering registration fees by 40%. Plot owners are projected to save between ₹60,000 and ₹1 lakh, depending on the size of the plot, with layouts like Palavalasa near Anandapuram already yielding benefits. With MIG layouts being developed statewide, this initiative is expected to positively impact thousands, leading to total savings in the crores. Specifically, in the…

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Andhra Pradesh Plans to Update Urban Land Values from Feb 1

Representative AI image VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a revision of land market values in urban areas, effective February 1. The registration department has been instructed to assess market values and finalize the new valuations promptly. This revision follows nearly a year after the last update in February. Officials revealed that this initiative aims to align the official market values with the current market conditions, as there have been noticeable discrepancies between guideline prices and actual transaction amounts across various urban, semi-urban, and rural regions. Each district will have an evaluation committee led by the joint collector, including…

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RMZ Plans $10 Billion Investment in Andhra Pradesh Over 5-6 Years

NEW DELHI: RMZ has reached an agreement with the government of Andhra Pradesh for an investment of around USD 10 billion into mixed-use, digital, and industrial infrastructure across the state over the next five to six years. The collaboration was revealed at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos. As part of this partnership, RMZ will establish a Global Capability Center at the Kapuluppada Phase-1 IT Park in Visakhapatnam, with a potential built-up area of up to 10 million sq ft over roughly 50 acres. Furthermore, a hyperscale data center cluster is planned for the Visakhapatnam area, aiming…