First in AP, Vizag to get Slum Rehabilitation Authority

Visakhapatnam: For the first time in Andhra Pradesh, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has decided to amend the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act, 1979, to establish a Slum Rehabilitation Authority. The move is part of a broader objective of comprehensive urban redevelopment under the recently launched Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) initiative. On a pilot basis, GVMC has submitted two slum redevelopment proposals to the state govt for Velampeta and Indira Gandhi Nagar in the city.Both areas will be transformed into high-rise residential apartments. Residents of these localities have been facing challenges such as inadequate housing, limited living space, poor sanitation, lack of basic civic amenities, and vulnerability to health and safety risks.
GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg said that Velampeta will have a G+12 building to accommodate 177 families, while Indira Gandhi Nagar will have a G+6 structure for 110 beneficiary families. "Both projects, estimated to cost around Rs 40 crore, will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model without any financial burden on the state govt or the corporation. GVMC has studied slum rehabilitation models in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru to adopt similar practices in Visakhapatnam. Beneficiaries will receive houses free of cost, while developers will be granted additional transferable development rights (TDR) and floor space index (FSI) incentives. to construct extra floors as part of the incentive structure," said the commissioner."A feasibility study was conducted, followed by the preparation of a detailed project report, which was submitted to the State Government for in-principle approval. While such processes typically take two to three years, the DPR was completed within 45 days. GVMC plans to invite requests for proposals within the next week to ensure that housing works commence by March," added Garg.The Velampeta housing project is estimated at Rs 23.17 crore and will benefit 177 families. Each beneficiary will receive Rs 1.5 lakh from the central govt and Rs 1 lakh from the state govt under PMAY. The corporation will invest in developing common amenities such as internal roads, water supply and sewerage facilities, while the remaining project component will be supported through TDR benefits for additional FSI. The TDR benefits are estimated at Rs 10.93 crore. The project site spans 59 cents (2,740 square yards), of which 678 square yards will be allocated to the developer, with the remaining area developed into a G+12 housing complex. Each flat will measure 450 sq ft. Beneficiaries will be provided with transit accommodation or rental assistance during the construction period, which is expected to be completed within 18 months from the date of commencement. About Rs 85 lakh of the project cost of Rs 23.17 crore will be earmarked for rental assistance.Similarly, the Indira Gandhi Nagar project, estimated at Rs 16.59 crore, will cover 110 beneficiaries. The housing proposals were discussed during a recent review meeting held in Amaravati, chaired by municipal administration and urban development minister P. Narayana.