GVMC Intensifies Crackdown on Encroachments with Operation Lungs 3.0 in Visakhapatnam
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has officially launched a major urban enforcement initiative titled Operation Lungs 3.0 this Monday. This city-wide drive is specifically designed to systematically clear illegal encroachments that have taken over cellar and stilt floor spaces across various neighborhoods in Visakhapatnam.
Immediate Action and Significant First-Day Results
Demonstrating immediate operational effectiveness, the campaign successfully removed several encroachments on its very first day of implementation. This swift action underscores the municipal body's commitment to addressing long-standing urban management issues that have plagued the city's infrastructure and public convenience.
Addressing the Root Cause of Traffic Congestion
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg provided critical insight into the primary motivation behind this rigorous initiative. He explained that the operation directly targets the growing and severe traffic congestion experienced throughout Visakhapatnam. The core issue identified is the widespread misuse of originally designated parking areas.
"Cellar and stilt floor spaces in commercial complexes and apartment buildings were architecturally planned and sanctioned exclusively for vehicle parking purposes," Commissioner Garg stated. "However, these vital spaces are increasingly being converted for unauthorized commercial use."
This illicit conversion has created a cascading problem. With legitimate parking spaces occupied by shops or storage, vehicle owners are forced to park their cars, bikes, and other vehicles on public roads, footpaths, and any available open spaces. This practice significantly narrows the usable width of roads and creates dangerous obstructions that disrupt the smooth flow of traffic, causing daily inconvenience and safety hazards for thousands of commuters.
"Our drive is being conducted with a firm and unwavering resolve," Garg emphasized. "We are determined to ensure that these cellar and stilt floors are restored to their intended function—providing adequate parking—and are used for nothing else."
Coordinated Enforcement Across City Zones
The execution of Operation Lungs 3.0 is a coordinated effort involving multiple civic departments. Chief City Planner A Prabhakar Rao detailed the operational specifics of the launch day.
"As part of this initial phase of the drive, our teams from the GVMC town planning wing, along with supporting staff, successfully identified and removed seven specific encroachments located in cellar and stilt floors," Rao reported. "These enforcement actions were spread across four different municipal zones of the city."
He further highlighted that the operation was not undertaken by the civic body alone. The local police department provided crucial support to the GVMC officials, ensuring the enforcement actions were carried out smoothly, safely, and without disruption, marking a model of inter-departmental cooperation for urban governance.
This launch of Operation Lungs 3.0 represents a significant escalation in Visakhapatnam's efforts to reclaim public space, decongest its roads, and enforce building bylaws. The municipal corporation has signaled that this is not a one-day event but a sustained campaign to improve the city's livability and traffic management.
