VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), recently reorganised from eight to 10 administrative zones, has begun preparing comprehensive zonal and ward-level development plans. The restructuring aims to streamline grassroots administration and align municipal governance more closely with Assembly constituencies.
The earlier eight-zone system often created mismatches, with wards falling under zones unrelated to their constituencies. This led to coordination challenges, procedural delays, and gaps in service delivery. For example, wards in Visakhapatnam East and North constituencies were administered under different zones, requiring cross-constituency coordination even for routine decisions. To address these inefficiencies, GVMC adopted a “one zone–one constituency” model, creating new zones in Pendurthi and Bheemunipatnam.
As part of the zone-wise review process, GVMC has been conducting consultative meetings with residents, MLAs, corporators, and other stakeholders to identify civic issues, infrastructure gaps, and priority requirements. Consultations in the remaining zones are expected to conclude shortly, with draft zonal development plans likely to be finalised within three months to guide future planning and investment.
During the East Zone review meeting, local representatives highlighted several concerns: underground drainage connections, drinking water shortages, and prevention of pipeline contamination at drainage crossings. They also flagged inadequate street lighting, poor road and drain conditions, absence of retaining walls in hilly areas, and silted major drains. Shortages of sanitation staff and garbage vehicles were also reported.
At the Anakapalli Zone review meeting, participants raised the issue of severe traffic congestion between Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam, calling for urgent road widening. Other concerns included inadequate sanitation, poor drainage, drinking water shortages, and the need to upgrade the sewage treatment plant. Proposals also covered development of a satellite township, beautification initiatives, construction of a commercial complex, stadium upgrades, and creation of a garbage transfer station and designated vending zones.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said the zone-wise conferences are being conducted to streamline planning and governance following the reorganisation. “These day-long meetings are structured into hourly thematic sessions covering sectors such as development works, street lighting, water supply, sanitation, revenue collection, town planning, and infrastructure,” he explained.
He added that elected representatives and stakeholders are actively participating to provide inputs and suggestions. The primary objective is to prepare comprehensive zonal development plans within three months. Based on these plans, priorities and future developmental activities will be finalised. Garg emphasised that the new zonal structure is designed to strengthen administrative efficiency and ensure decentralised development across the city.
