Visakhapatnam to Get Three Modern Women’s Hostels

Visakhapatnam is set to make history as the first city in Andhra Pradesh to simultaneously develop three government-run working women’s hostels under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has secured ₹172 crore in Union government grants under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2024–25.

Foundation stones for hostels at Gajuwaka and Mudasarlova have already been laid, while construction has recently started at Madhurawada. The project is being executed by the Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited, the special purpose vehicle for the Vizag Smart City initiative. While the state government retains ownership, private partners will manage operations and maintenance.

Officials said the hostels are designed to meet the growing need for safe, modern accommodation for working women, driven by Visakhapatnam’s expanding IT, pharmaceutical, and service sectors. “These hostels will not just provide rooms; they will support women’s independence and access to career opportunities,” a GVMC official said.

The Madhurawada hostel, costing ₹26.12 crore, will be a G+4 structure with 96 rooms for 248 women, including parking, dining, library, gym, yoga hall, medical room, and safety infrastructure. The largest facility at Mudasarlova, estimated at ₹63.73 crore, will have 204 rooms for 616 women, along with landscaped gardens, indoor games, a rooftop café, yoga and gym facilities, library, medical room, and enhanced security measures.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said work is being fast-tracked: “We aim to achieve 50% physical progress by the end of March. These hostels will provide safe and well-equipped accommodation with modern amenities and ample parking.”