Visakhapatnam’s population will rise sharply in the next decade, predicts research centre in Andhra University

The Population Research Centre (PRC) in the Andhra University campus here has suggested that short and long-term plans need to be made on a war-footing to improve infrastructure in Visakhapatnam as there will be a rapid increase in population in the next decade

The Population Research Centre (PRC), based at the Andhra University campus here, has suggested that short and long-term plans need to be made on a war-footing to improve infrastructure required for people in Visakhapatnam as there will be a rapid increase in population in the next decade.

PRC Honorary Director B. Muniswamy said that though the district is geographically small, it will be the largest district in terms of population in the next decade. About 90% of Visakhapatnam district is urban area covered by Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

“Our PRC estimates that the Visakhapatnam’s population will reach around 30 lakhs by 2033. The growth rate is already around 2.33% with the present population of 23.31 lakhs,” Mr. Muniswamy told The Hindu on Tuesday on the occasion of World Population Day.

Sources said that since Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the administration of the State government will be shifted to Visakhapatnam from September, the population growth is likely to be faster than the PRC’s expectations.

“If the CM’s decision comes true, it won’t take long for the city to expand. People from different corners of the State and other States are likely to migrate to the coastal city for various needs like business, jobs and real estate investments and education etc,” a Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) official said.

Vizag Development Council (VDC) vice-chairman O. Naresh Kumar said that the authorities concerned, including the GVMC and VMRDA, should have completed the plans and started the works for the next two or three decades instead of one decade.

“In 20 years, the city has grown at an unimaginable rate if we see Madhurawada now. So, the next growth engines will be from Madhurawada towards Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram and Bheemili northwards, Anakapalli southwards and Pendurty, S.Kota and Kottavalasa in westwards,” Mr. Naresh Kumar said.