The VMRDA has announced the development of approximately 25,000 plots for the middle class in 2026 as part of the effort to increase the overall supply of housing in the metropolitan area. The project is part of the overall development plan that seeks to develop the infrastructure as well as the governance relationships in the Visakhapatnam area.
The Metropolitan Commissioner, N Tej Bharath, explained that authority has established a total of “10 major goals for this year,” which encompass “infrastructure development” and “institutional reforms.” We will work on 10 major goals this year. These include completing the master plan in a way that satisfies all citizens, completing major planned roads with full quality within a set timeline, undertaking transit-oriented development, and resolving long-pending land issues,” he stated.
The proposed MIG layouts are expected to cater to growing housing demand from salaried professionals, government employees, and small business owners, as Visakhapatnam continues to expand as a key urban and economic hub in Andhra Pradesh. Planned residential plots are also seen as a way to promote orderly urban growth and reduce unregulated development at the city’s peripheries.
Apart from housing, VMRDA’s infrastructure agenda includes construction of major road networks, notably the semi-ring road connecting Bhogapuram and Rambilli, which is expected to improve regional connectivity and ease traffic congestion. The authority also plans to lay foundations for several key projects within the next six to seven months, while modernising museums under its supervision.
Addressing governance and land-related challenges, Bharath said resolving long-pending land issues across constituencies under VMRDA’s jurisdiction remains a priority. “The goals are ambitious but achievable. Teamwork, ownership, and timely decision-making at every level will make them possible,” he said.
With this in mind, VMRDA is starting a new initiative called ‘Work with VMRDA’-where, every Monday, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, there would be direct interaction between the citizens and the officials. Residents can voice their grievances or request clarifications on helpline numbers available for the purpose, thereby offering an institutionalized avenue for addressing grievances.
The authority is also fast-tracking its digital transformation agenda. Initiatives proposed to be taken, like VIBE-a Vizag Integrated Buyers-Sellers Exchange-end-to-end digitisation of services, WhatsApp-based citizen services, an integrated ticketing system, AI-powered help desks and chatbots, and business process re-engineering in plot sale mechanisms-are likely to improve efficiency and trust.
These steps, officials said, will bring in more transparency in the allotment of plots, reduce the processing time, and minimize manual intervention. Further stakeholder engagement through more media outreach and social media outreach, apart from coordination under the Vizag Economic Region framework, is also proposed.
Being a growing real estate hub and commercial destination in Visakhapatnam, the comprehensive plan by VMRDA is anticipated to ensure a harmonious balance of development and growth in the region. The proposed launch of MIG plots, along with transport and digital governance developments, would be a major contributing factor for the development of Visakhapatnam in 2026.
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