GVMC unveils ₹25-crore summer action plan for water supply

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ketan Garg on Thursday said the civic body has prepared a comprehensive summer action plan to ensure an uninterrupted water supply across the city. The plan, with an outlay of about ₹25 crore, includes 98 works aimed at addressing water-related issues.

Mr. Garg said all 98 wards have been surveyed to identify vulnerable supply points and problem areas. Steps will be taken to prevent inconvenience to residents and ensure an adequate water supply. The works include repairing leakages, drilling new borewells, restoring defunct ones, deploying water tankers, and other related interventions.

A dedicated toll-free number is being introduced for the public to report water-related complaints, which will be resolved within six to eight hours, he added.

Speaking at a press conference held in his chamber on Thursday, the Commissioner said tax collection improved significantly during the current financial year. It reached around ₹620 crore, an increase of 22% compared to ₹510 crore collected last year. He noted that previously uncovered and unassessed buildings were also brought into the tax net this year.

On sanitation, Mr. Garg said around 570 sanitation workers will soon be deployed across the city wards, marking a major boost to the system. The workers are currently undergoing training and are under observation. In addition, 50 new e-autorickshaws will be introduced to strengthen sanitation services, which is expected to positively impact the city’s ranking in the Swachh Survekshan.

Regarding Bhogapuram Airport connectivity, he said two roads being developed by GVMC to link the city with NH-16 are progressing rapidly and are expected to be completed between June 15 and June 30. Mr. Garg also said that from May 2026, a service mela will be organised in all sachivalayams across all wards to ensure complaints related to basic public services are addressed.