The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has granted its ‘Authority’ for the establishment of a landmark residential apartment project in Visakhapatnam. This initiative represents the first of its kind undertaken by any urban development authority in Andhra Pradesh in recent years. VMRDA has pinpointed a 4.07-acre land parcel adjacent to Pebble Towers in Madhurawada. Although the pricing details are still pending finalization, the site is set to host a residential complex featuring six towers, each with 50 stories.
The project will provide 3 BHK, 4 BHK, and 4 BHK duplex apartments, along with a clubhouse, jogging and cycling paths, a swimming pool complete with a deck, a children’s play area, and various other amenities comparable to those found in upscale gated communities. The ‘Authority’ has also sanctioned the development of middle-income group (MIG) housing projects in several areas of the city, including Midhilapuri (Madhurawada), Marikavalasa, and Vepagunta. These MIG apartment complexes will consist of 2 BHK, 2.5 BHK, and 3 BHK flats.
Both the iconic towers in Madhurawada and the MIG apartments in various locations will be constructed under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework. VMRDA officials have indicated that the pricing for MIG apartments will be more affordable than those provided by private developers in the same regions. The foundation stone for these projects is anticipated to be laid in the upcoming months.
At present, government housing initiatives in urban regions offer one cent of land along with financial support for home construction to the impoverished homeless or provide assistance to those who already possess land. Nevertheless, there is no provision available for middle- or higher-income groups (MIG/HIG).
Through the establishment of iconic towers and MIG apartment schemes, VMRDA intends to meet the housing demands of these demographics. Recently, the Authority carried out a demand survey for the MIG housing program.
While the state government and various urban development authorities are actively working on the development of MIG layouts, these efforts currently focus solely on plot sales, leaving the construction responsibilities to the individual buyers. Over the last two years, VMRDA has successfully developed numerous such layouts under the NTR Smart Township Layout scheme across the districts of Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam.
The new MIG apartment initiative aims to alleviate the challenges associated with separate plot purchases and construction, providing ready-to-move-in residences. Over the past decade, VMRDA has created numerous layouts, including MIG and one-cent layouts in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Anakapalli. However, it has not initiated any residential housing projects.
In an interview, VMRDA chairperson M V Pranav Gopal stated that this initiative was launched to serve the MIG and other segments. “This will be mutually beneficial for both the public and VMRDA. The public will gain access to quality-assured, constructed homes at subsidized prices, while the project will also generate revenue for the Authority. From Madhurawada and Bheemili to Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and other regions, we possess a substantial land bank. We are planning to initiate work on these projects in the upcoming months,” he remarked.
A recent meeting of the ‘Authority’, chaired by Pranav, was attended by principal secretary (municipal administration and urban development) Suresh Kumar, VMRDA metropolitan commissioner KS Viswanathan, and other officials. As per the VMRDA act, the urban development authority will be governed under the monitoring of the ‘Authority’ and ‘Executive Committee.’
