Visakhapatnam poised to emerge as major economic hub: VMRDA Chief Engineer

Visakhapatnam is poised to emerge as the primary economic engine of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and a major economic hub for the state, said Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Chief Engineer Vinay Kumar.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Engineers’ Day celebrations organised by the Department of Civil Engineering at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Vinay Kumar stressed the need for sustainable and technology-driven urban development to support the city’s rapid growth.

He said sustainable urban development should focus on creating cities that generate prosperity while preserving opportunities and resources for future generations. An integrated approach, supported by technology-led management, would be essential to meet the challenges arising from rapid urbanisation, he added.

With the urban population increasing steadily, civic infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation and road networks would have to be planned well in advance to meet future demand, Vinay Kumar said.

He noted that VMRDA was prioritising the development of key growth corridors in and around Visakhapatnam, with around 49 development projects currently under consideration. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening connectivity, infrastructure and economic activity across the metropolitan region.

Among the major proposals is the development of a world-class “Bay City” stretching nearly 50 km from Tenneti Park to Bheemili. The proposed corridor is envisaged with modern infrastructure and sustainable planning, and is expected to play a significant role in the future growth of Visakhapatnam.

Civil Engineering Department Head Dr. D. Mukund, senior faculty members Dr. Ramesh and Dr. Chandan Kumar, along with other faculty members and academic staff, attended the programme.