GVMC initiates comprehensive slum survey across Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched a comprehensive survey of 66 slums across the city to assess housing, infrastructure, and amenities. Based on the findings, slums that have achieved a certain level of development will be denotified, while others will be redeveloped under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The initiative forms part of the broader Visakhapatnam Economic Region plan under NITI Aayog's Vizag Growth Hub.Two slums — Velampeta and Indira Nagar — have already been identified for redevelopment under the PPP model, with tenders floated. GVMC also plans to amend the Municipal Corporation Act, 1979, to establish a Slum Rehabilitation Authority.Visakhapatnam is home to slums across every part of the city. Due to the opportunities available – be it education, employment, and other economic fronts – several slums have lost their original character, with multi-storey buildings springing up and a clear shift in social and economic dynamics. However, a major issue that remains in most of these areas is the presence of narrow roads and a decayed water supply and drainage system. The GVMC survey is intended to identify those slums that have achieved a certain degree of development and those that are lagging behind compared to their peers.GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg said that the slums will be bifurcated into two categories based on the survey. "While one group will be denotified as slums, the others will be covered under the redevelopment project. Redevelopment of all these slums will be taken up in a single package in a bid to move the city towards becoming slum-free," he said. "After completing feasibility studies, preparing detailed project reports, exploring financing options, and obtaining the required sanctions from the state government, we have already floated tenders for the redevelopment of Velampeta and Indira Nagar. From the date of commencement, the work on these two slums will be completed in about two years. We have taken consent from each beneficiary after discussing all the project components," said Garg. GVMC has provided the beneficiaries of these two slums, which they will need to vacate for about two years, with two options. Under one option, they will be provided with nearly 18 months of advance rent, while under the other, alternative housing at another location will be arranged. According to GVMC officials, nearly 70 to 80% of the beneficiaries have chosen the rental option, as it allows them to continue staying in the same locality, where most of them are employed. Both Velampeta and Indira Nagar will be transformed into high-rise residential apartments. Velampeta will have a G+12 building to accommodate 177 families, while Indira Nagar will have a G+6 structure for 110 beneficiary families.