Vizag ward count likely to rise to 120 in civic revamp

Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has completed the exercise of reorganising wards and published a draft proposal to increase their number from 98 to 120. The move is expected to strengthen grassroot leadership by increasing the number of corporators in the next election. At the same time, the restructuring has divided large peripheral regions such as Bheemili, Madhurawada, Pendurthi, and Anakapalle into smaller and more localised sectors.According to the recently-issued government guidelines, cities with a population of more than 15 lakh are eligible for 120 wards. Visakhapatnam, which had a population of around 19 lakh as per the 2011 Census, now falls under this category.The preliminary notification published by the GVMC shows major changes in the way large peripheral areas are being divided. For example, in the Bheemili and Tagarapuvalasa region, localities such as Kondapeta, Chittivalasa, Sangivalasa, Tagarapuvalasa, and Dekkatipalem, which were earlier spread across two large wards, have now been reorganised into three separate wards.New Ward 1 covers the northern stretch between the Gosthani River and NH-16, while Ward 2 includes central areas such as Chittivalasa Peddacheruvu, Nammivanipeta, and Mamidipalem. Ward 3 covers coastal and heritage areas including the Lighthouse, Beach Road, and Pavurala Konda.Similarly, the earlier Ward 4, which included large panchayat areas such as Nidigattu, Chepaluppada, Kapuluppada, K Nagarapalem, JV Agraharam, and Marikavalasa, has now been divided into smaller units. The new Ward 4 stretches from the Lighthouse to INS Kalinga, while Ward 5 covers the coastal belt passing through Chepaluppada, K. Nagarapalem, and Kapuluppada.Rapidly growing urban areas such as Kommadi, Marikavalasa, and Madhurawada have also been reorganised under the new proposal. Ward 6 now includes Paradesipalem, Marikavalasa, Kommadi, and the PM Palem TIDCO housing clusters. Ward 7 covers areas around Gayatri Medical College, YSR Colony, and Shivashakthinagar, while Ward 8 includes Midhilapuri, Vambay Colony, and the Madhurawada coastline.The reorganisation has also brought major changes in the hilly and densely populated areas of Arilova, Chinagadili, and Pedagadili. Earlier, these localities were grouped under large wards that combined residential colonies and major transit routes.Under the new proposal, the region has been divided into five smaller wards. New Ward 13 covers the Old Dairy Farm area between Kambalakonda Eco Park and Hanumanthavaka Junction. Ward 14 includes residential colonies such as Ravindranagar, Balaji Nagar Road, and Ambedkar Nagar.Ward 15 covers the busy Arilova Last Bus Stop area along with Shivaji Nagar, Srikant Nagar, and Lakshmi Nagar Gedda. Ward 16 extends across Yerra Durga Nagar, Deendayalapuram, Mudasarlova, and Darapalem villages, while Ward 17 focuses on the major transit corridors around Hanumanthavaka Junction, NH-16, and the BRTS road passing through Chinagadili and Pedagadili junctions. Similarly, larger wards in the Pendurthi and Anakapalle zones have also undergone major changes.GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg said the draft has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporation (division of wards) Rules, 1996, along with subsequent amendments and applicable regulations. “The draft proposal, along with ward boundary details, has been made made available for public information at the GVMC head office, all 10 zonal offices, important government offices within GVMC limits, and on the official GVMC website (gvmc.gov.in),” said Garg.The public may submit suggestions or objections to the GVMC commissioner within seven days from the date of publication of the preliminary notification (Form-I), that is, on or before May 24. After receiving suggestions and objections from the public, they will be examined and submitted to the government for further necessary action.