The coastal city of Visakhapatnam marked the nation's 77th Republic Day with patriotic fervor and a strong emphasis on its transformative development trajectory. Key civic and industrial leaders used the occasion to outline ambitious plans and celebrate recent achievements, painting a picture of a city poised for significant growth.
Flag Hoisting and Civic Commitments
At the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) main office, the national flag was unfurled by Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao. He was joined by Deputy Mayors Kattamuri Satish and Dalli Govinda Raju, alongside other senior officials. The ceremony included floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi situated in front of the civic body's office.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg reiterated the administration's collective commitment. "All officials and employees at GVMC are working with a unified goal towards the comprehensive development of Visakhapatnam city," he stated, underscoring the civic body's dedication to urban progress.
District Collector Unveils Major IT and Infrastructure Push
District Collector Harendhira Prasad, who hoisted the tricolour at the parade ground, delivered significant announcements regarding the region's economic future. He revealed that numerous IT giants are establishing operations in Vizag, bringing substantial investments aimed at creating approximately 1.1 lakh new job opportunities.
"The government has allocated land to 16 prominent IT firms, including Google, TCS, and Cognizant, through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC)," Prasad announced. "These companies are set to invest a combined total of Rs 10,600 crore in the region."
On the infrastructure front, the Collector highlighted ongoing projects critical for connectivity. Construction is underway on 27 kilometers of master plan roads for the Bhogapuram international airport, with an estimated cost of Rs 175 crore. Additionally, the GVMC has proposed 15.7 kilometers of new roads, budgeted at Rs 70 crore, specifically to enhance airport connectivity.
Educational and Regional Development Bodies Join Celebrations
The festive spirit extended across the region, with educational institutions and government organizations celebrating the day with grandeur. At the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) office, Joint Commissioner K Ramesh emphasized the significant responsibility entrusted to the authority.
"If everyone dedicates themselves to hard work, we can collectively rededicate our efforts to the development of the Visakhapatnam region, Andhra Pradesh, and, by extension, the entire nation," Ramesh urged, calling for a concerted push towards progress.
Voices from Academia and Industry
IIM Vizag Director, Professor M Chandrasekhar, echoed the sentiments of President Droupadi Murmu, highlighting India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. He attributed this momentum to the nation's vast youth population.
"Our youth, with their immense talent, innovation, and global outlook, are truly the flag-bearers of the nation's development journey," Prof. Chandrasekhar said. He called upon everyone to act responsibly, serve selflessly, and contribute meaningfully to society, stressing that such collective efforts strengthen the national fabric and reinforce core human values.
From the industrial sector, Manish Raj Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director (additional charge) of RINL (Vizag Steel Plant), noted India's emergence as a vibrant democracy with a rapidly expanding economy, driving strong demand for steel. He pointed out that India is now the world's second-largest crude steel producer.
Gupta credited massive infrastructure initiatives like PM Gati Shakti, Bharatmala 2.0, Sagarmala 2.0, the national infrastructure pipeline, industrial corridors, and the Smart Cities Mission for providing further impetus to steel consumption. He also recalled a challenging period for RINL in September 2024, marked by severe cash constraints that forced the plant to operate with only one blast furnace.
"We are grateful to the Union government for its timely financial support," Gupta stated. "This intervention enabled RINL to resume operations at all three blast furnaces, achieving 94% blast furnace capacity utilization by December 2025."
Port Authority Sets Ambitious Cargo Target
In a major announcement for maritime trade, Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) Chairman Madhaiyaan Angamuthu declared a target of handling 100 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of cargo for the 2026-27 financial year. The announcement followed the flag hoisting ceremony and guard of honour at the port stadium.
Angamuthu informed that the VPA handled over 82 MMT of cargo and is expected to reach 90 MMT in the current year. "We are poised to achieve the 100 MMT target next year with the full support of our PPP operators, BOT partners, and our dedicated workforce," he asserted confidently.
He further revealed that during the 2025-26 period, the VPA initiated development projects worth over ₹1,500 crore, aimed at substantially improving port systems and operational efficiency.
Dredging Corporation Marks Golden Jubilee
The 77th Republic Day celebrations coincidentally marked the 50th anniversary of the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI). DCI Managing Director and CEO Captain S Divakar announced the imminent induction of 'Dredge Godavari' into their fleet. This vessel is noted as the world's first 12,000 cubic metre Beagle Series dredger, set to establish new global benchmarks in efficiency and environmental sustainability. Plans for two additional dredgers of the same class are also in the pipeline.
Currently handling more than 55% of India's dredging requirements, DCI is focused on enhancing its capabilities through fleet modernization, skill development, and the adoption of sustainable technologies. In a vote of confidence for the organization, Captain Divakar added that Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited has extended a ₹150 crore NBFC term loan to DCI to support its growth initiatives.
The day's events across Visakhapatnam collectively highlighted a city and region firmly on a path of multi-sectoral growth, leveraging its industrial base, port infrastructure, and human capital to contribute to both state and national development goals.
