VMRDA eyes investment with themed townships

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has proposed the development of theme-based townships in the district to attract large investments and generate employment, officials said.

The authority has so far developed only satellite townships. Keeping future requirements in view, it has now prepared plans for four theme-based townships. In the first phase, the projects will be taken up at locations where land is readily available — 130 acres at Kothavalasa in Bheemili mandal and 165 acres at Sontyam in Anandapuram.

Officials said Visakhapatnam was seeing growth in sectors such as IT, tourism, education, and healthcare, and the proposed townships would be aligned with these focus areas. Each township will be developed around a specific theme to attract industries, research institutions, and service organisations, to improve job opportunities for local youth.

Themes identified by the authority include film and media, Health Valley and wellness, education as a knowledge hub, tourism and recreation centres, and an IT hub. The townships are expected to include luxury villas, apartments, resorts, golf courses, convention centres, IT parks, office space, and green energy components.

To finalise the project framework, VMRDA has awarded the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Knight Frank India Pvt. Ltd. for ₹2.22 crore. The consultancy will study market conditions, future demand, and funding options, and suggest implementation models, including public-private partnership (PPP).

Officials said the DPR is expected within a year of land handover. Meanwhile, the authority is likely to identify two more locations in the district for similar projects.