Vizag plans Growth Corridor

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Feb 17, 2014:  Vuda is all set to develop Vizg Growth Corridor (VGR) for the overall development of the city. The VGR adds to the development of
Vizag, which is considered as next big city in the state after Hyderabad and seen as main investment destination in Seemandhra region if the state is divided. 

The Vuda board has recently decided to go in for preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for an outer ring road (ORR), on the lines of the one in Hyderabad to promote transit-oriented growth nodes. 

The semi-circular road will begin at Payakaraopeta and connect to the National Highway via Anakapalle and Relli near Kottavalasa and Vizianagaram. The proposal has been presented before the Urban Metropolitan Transport Committee too. Once the project report is submitted to it and approved by the union government, it will provide 50 per cent of the required funds.

As the jurisdiction of Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has been expanded from 111 sq.km to 614 sq.km, many institutional, industrial and recreational areas have come up in the recent past within GVMC limit, largely on the north-east, north and western areas.  Furthermore, due to increased employment opportunities, population has increased manifold

“One of the key factors influencing such development is connectivity by NH-16. It not only connects city with other capital cities in India, but also render services to substantial part of city population, as major length- nearly 62km from Anakapalli to Anandapuram traverses through the city functioning as “life-line” of the development. Most by-passable traffic of Visakhapatnam uses this corridor and such phenomenon is increasing with time,” said Vuda vice chairman, Dr N Yuvaraj.

He added that many new activity and residential areas have come up in a haphazard manner leveraging the accessibility to existing NH-16. With the same pace of development, if uncontrolled or not regulated it may lead to saturation level and would further worsen the traffic situation on this stretch. “NH-16 of the city stretch is faced with traffic congestion and poses safety issues on local development also. Though the development is based on the emerging demand of the newly developed areas around GVMC area, an integrated plan of connectivity between the emerging growth centres is lacking,” he added.

Given the above background, Vuda felt necessary for undertaking comprehensive view of the development taking place in the region, identify potential areas of growth and explore opportunities for establishing connectivity to these growth centres through a regional connector on the lines of Outer Ring Road (ORR) of Hyderabad Urban Development Authority Area (HUDA).

“It is also felt recognized by Vuda that the concept of establishing a ‘Vizag Growth Corridor’ should be explored in order to provide additional impetus to the growth of the surrounding region as well as take the leverage of increased land values for real estate development instead of only considering improved connectivity,” Yuvaraj said and added that radial connectivity to the peripheral growth corridor will also be considered.

UMTA mooted for better transport

Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) has also been mooted for ensuring effective coordination and implementation of better transportation system in the area coming under Vuda jurisdiction, with main focus on Greater Visakhapatnam.

The Authority aims at development of a very effective road transportation and traffic management system making the Vizag Metropolitan Region (VMR) area and its surroundings well connected and meeting the increasing demand for transportation infrastructure.

State government issued GO MS No.616 constituting the UMTA for the area covered by Vuda to coordinate various departments and agencies in the matters relating to traffic and transportation and to able to integrate various modes of public transport like rail, bus and other systems in a compatible manner, to prepare a road map for the implementation of the comprehensive transportation plan.

A Committee for the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority has also been constituted by the government for which the Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban development Department will act as Chairman and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of APSRTC, Commissioner of Transport, Waltair Divisional Railway Manager, Member- Secretary of AP Pollution Control Board, VUDA Vice Chairman, GVMC Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner, District Collector of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, Director of Town and Country Planning and other experts as members.