Visakhapatnam Takes Strides Toward a Greener, Safer Future, says Collector

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad said that Visakhapatnam is on track to become a model for sustainable urban development. He made the remarks on Friday at a conference on urban planning and future cities, organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), and Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), under the theme “Building Resilient, Sustainable and Future-Ready Urban Spaces.”

“Visakhapatnam is advancing in inclusivity, mobility, resilience, and conservation,” Mr. Prasad said, stressing that urban development must benefit all sections of society, including migrants and vulnerable communities.

He highlighted key initiatives, including the proposed metro rail project, expected to start by 2028–29, and the “Mahila Shakti” scheme, which provides free public transport for women. The city has made 90–95% of its roads pothole-free and plans to widen major roads. Authorities will introduce an Intelligent Traffic Management System to regulate signals, reduce travel time, and improve road safety.

On climate and disaster preparedness, Mr. Prasad said the city submitted a ₹200-crore proposal to the National Disaster Management Authority for flood mitigation. After Cyclone Hudhud, the city extended underground power cabling and now plans a ₹550-crore underground tunnel network in Madhurawada to benefit two lakh residents. Officials will link 41 drains to sewage treatment plants and restore traditional water tanks.

VMRDA Joint Commissioner K. Ramesh pointed out that only 10% of the city’s land remains available for development. He called for theme-based, mixed-use plans and land value capture to support sustainable growth.

Other speakers included Rahul Sankritya, Deputy General Manager, SBI Visakhapatnam; Dr. K. Kumar Raja, Chairman, CII Green Building Council, Visakhapatnam Chapter; and G.S. Shiva Kumar, Past Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh.