GVMC Establishes Andhra Pradesh's First Slum Rehabilitation Authority
In a landmark urban development initiative, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has taken the unprecedented step of amending the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act of 1979 to establish a Slum Rehabilitation Authority. This marks the first such authority in Andhra Pradesh, representing a significant shift in addressing urban housing challenges through structured redevelopment frameworks.
Pilot Projects Target Velampeta and Indira Gandhi Nagar
The municipal corporation has submitted two comprehensive slum redevelopment proposals to the state government, focusing on Velampeta and Indira Gandhi Nagar within Visakhapatnam city. These areas have been identified for transformation into modern high-rise residential complexes, addressing long-standing issues faced by residents including inadequate housing conditions, severely limited living spaces, poor sanitation infrastructure, absence of basic civic amenities, and heightened vulnerability to health and safety risks.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg detailed the architectural plans, revealing that Velampeta will feature a G+12 building designed to accommodate 177 families, while Indira Gandhi Nagar will consist of a G+6 structure housing 110 beneficiary families. Both projects are estimated to require a total investment of approximately Rs 40 crore and will be developed through an innovative public-private partnership (PPP) model that ensures no financial burden falls on either the state government or the municipal corporation.
Studying Successful Models and Implementing Best Practices
GVMC conducted extensive research into slum rehabilitation models implemented in major Indian cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru to identify best practices suitable for Visakhapatnam's urban landscape. Commissioner Garg explained the incentive structure: "Beneficiaries will receive houses completely free of cost, while participating developers will be granted additional transferable development rights (TDR) and floor space index (FSI) incentives that allow construction of extra floors as part of the compensation mechanism."
The corporation completed a thorough feasibility study followed by preparation of a detailed project report, which has been submitted to the State Government for in-principle approval. Remarkably, while such comprehensive planning processes typically require two to three years, GVMC managed to complete the DPR within an accelerated timeframe of just 45 days. The municipal body plans to invite requests for proposals within the coming week, with the ambitious goal of commencing housing construction by March.
Detailed Breakdown of Velampeta Project
The Velampeta housing initiative carries an estimated cost of Rs 23.17 crore and will benefit 177 families currently residing in the area. Each beneficiary household will receive substantial financial support through government schemes, including Rs 1.5 lakh from the central government and Rs 1 lakh from the state government under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
GVMC will directly invest in developing essential common amenities including internal road networks, reliable water supply systems, and comprehensive sewerage facilities. The remaining project components will be financially supported through TDR benefits providing additional FSI, with these benefits valued at approximately Rs 10.93 crore.
The project site encompasses 59 cents (equivalent to 2,740 square yards), with 678 square yards allocated to the developer partner and the remaining area dedicated to constructing the G+12 housing complex. Each residential flat will measure 450 square feet, providing substantially improved living conditions compared to current arrangements.
During the anticipated 18-month construction period, beneficiaries will be provided with either transit accommodation or rental assistance, with approximately Rs 85 lakh of the total project budget specifically earmarked for this temporary housing support.
Indira Gandhi Nagar Redevelopment Specifications
The parallel initiative at Indira Gandhi Nagar involves an estimated investment of Rs 16.59 crore and will benefit 110 families through comprehensive redevelopment. Both housing proposals received detailed discussion during a recent review meeting held in Amaravati, chaired by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana, indicating high-level governmental support for these transformative urban projects.
Strategic Alignment with Broader Urban Development Vision
This pioneering slum rehabilitation initiative forms an integral component of comprehensive urban redevelopment efforts under the recently launched Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) initiative. By establishing a formal Slum Rehabilitation Authority through legislative amendment, GVMC creates an institutional framework capable of systematically addressing urban housing challenges while promoting sustainable development and improved quality of life for marginalized communities.
The PPP approach ensures efficient resource utilization while leveraging private sector expertise, with the TDR and FSI incentive structure creating viable economic models for developers participating in socially impactful projects. This innovative framework represents a potential blueprint for similar urban redevelopment initiatives across Andhra Pradesh and potentially other Indian states facing comparable urban housing challenges.
