VMRDA plans Urban Habitat Centre in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Urban Habitat Centre (UHC) project aims to create a modern, multipurpose urban hub with cultural and economic activities.

If everything goes according to the plan of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), an Urban Habitat Centre (UHC) will come up in the city’s Madhurawada on the lines of the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model.

With an estimated investment of ₹450-500 crore, the VMRDA is all set to go for the Request for Proposal (RfP) for the project by the end of this month or the first week of February. The VMRDA has allotted 8.82 acres of its own land on Law College Road, off the old stretch of National Highway-16.

The VMRDA has proposed the project keeping in mind the growing IT industry and the developments taking place in the areas of Madhurawada and Rushikonda, including gated communities, IT companies, high-end housing complexes, and the international airport coming up at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. While Infosys has already started operations at Rushikonda area, TCS and Google’s proposed centres are likely to be set up at the same destination in and around Madhurawada. The yet-to-begin Adani data centre project is also located in the same area.

“If this project is implemented, it will be the largest entertainment hub in the State. We are going for RfP soon to attract global investors. The project was discussed in the presence of A.P. Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Amrapali Kata, who appreciated the project and advised us to go ahead with it. If possible, we will also explain it to Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu during his scheduled visit to Visakhapatnam in February for inauguration of the Authority’s completed projects, including helicopter musueum at the beach road,” a VMRDA official told The Hindu on January 23.

Designed to create a modern and multipurpose urban centre and cater to the growing needs of Visakhapatnam city, the project recently received approval from the VMRDA Board. The centre is envisioned as a landmark destination that will integrate cultural, social and economic activities, foster community engagement and regional growth, the officer added.

The proposed centre will include various amenities such as corporate office space for startups or small ITeS companies, a business centre for meetings, a clubhouse with various amenities for executives of the corporate or government sector firms, a star hotel for tourists, and local, national and international food restaurants. The project also includes revenue-generating components such as office rentals by leasing out spaces for conferences, spaces for trade fairs and shows for showcasing local and international art and cultural exhibits, and amusing venues for creative and commercial endeavours.