GVMC Clarifies: No ‘Walking Tax’ in Parks or Stadiums

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg has dismissed rumours claiming that the civic body is levying user charges or taxes for walking in parks and stadiums, terming them false and misleading. He urged citizens not to believe or circulate such misinformation.

In a statement on Friday, the Commissioner said GVMC has expanded and upgraded public recreation infrastructure significantly in recent years. About 45 parks have been developed over the last two years at a cost of around ₹35 crore, while playgrounds and stadiums have been modernised with an investment of nearly ₹30 crore.

He said the Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium, developed at a cost of ₹18 crore, is fully managed by GVMC without private involvement and includes walking tracks and drinking water facilities. Similarly, the Rajiv Sports Complex in Gajuwaka and Indira Priyadarshini Stadium have each been developed at a cost of ₹10 crore, with ongoing monthly expenditure for maintenance.

Garg stated that around 180 parks in the city are maintained either directly by GVMC or in coordination with Resident Welfare Associations. “No walking fee is collected anywhere. At present, no charges or taxes are being levied on walkers in any park or stadium in Visakhapatnam,” he clarified.

He also reiterated that even parks maintained by RWAs do not collect any walking fee and appealed to the public to reject false claims about a so-called “walking tax.”