REAL ESTATE Visakhapatnam

Major housing projects in and around Visakhapatnam have got stalled during the past two years due to the economic slowdown and the lull in the realty sector. Companies from Hyderabad and Mumbai that purchased sites in auctions conducted by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) have not started work on the projects.

One major housing project proposed in the boom was the one to be undertaken by the VUDA and Jurong India Infrastructure (India) Ltd at Madhurawada within the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation limits. There was much hype over the project but it too got delayed due to the unfavourable conditions in the market.

Progress reviewed


At last, however, there has been some action. Earlier this week, Mr V. N. Vishnu, Vice-Chairman of VUDA, reviewed the progress of the project and fixed the guideline and norms to be followed in its implementation.

He said in an interview that, earlier only high income group (HIG) units and middle income group (MIG) units were included in the project, but now low income group (LIG) units too are in. “We have felt that due to the impact of the recession it is necessary to include LIG units also. Jurong will design the project,” he said.

Directions had been given to VUDA officials as well as the representatives of Jurong to complete the procedures by the end of September so that the project can be taken up as soon as possible. The national building code would be complied with in construction and the price of the units would be finalised in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Standard Schedule of Rates, he said.

Number of units


The project will have 710 units in different categories on 20 acres in the first phase. Of the total, there would be 100 HIG units, 160 MIG-1A, 120 MIG-1B, 210 MIG-2 and 120 LIG.

The price of the units would have to be finalised, he said, and the total cost of the project had also not been calculated yet. “However, affordability is the key factor. The units will be affordable to the middle class as well as the lower class,” he said.

Common facilities such as a community centre, hospital and local shopping malls would be developed and the most advanced reticulated cooking gas supply system put in place. “We are attaching a lot of importance to this major housing project. We hope it will revive activity in the vicinity of Madhurawada again,” he said.