VMRDA: Functions, Objective, Master Plan and More

Visakhapatnam is a metropolitan region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its beautiful beaches, primitive Buddhist sites, and the splendid Eastern Ghats. The management of this rapidly growing city, also referred to as the “City of Destiny”, comes under VMRDA (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority). But what is a development authority? What do they do?

With increased population comes increased housing problems. And to solve these problems, the state governments form development authorities. These authorities are responsible for the development of public infrastructure, housing projects, recreational zones and commercial places. 

In this blog, we have highlighted the duties, responsibilities and functions of VMRDA in particular. Scroll down to know more. 

Formulation of VMRDA (VUDA to VMRDA)

Before VMRDA, Visakhapatnam was controlled by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA). However, VUDA got dissolved in 2018 and was renamed VMRDA. Besides a change in the name, the authority was assigned a new set of responsibilities by the state. This comprised dealing with land acquisitions, urban assets creation and farmer settlements.

VMRDA is an autonomous body. On the flip side, VUDA worked under the municipal administration. Before that, the Town Planning Trust body was responsible for operating the Visakhapatnam municipal area.

The VMRDA covers 1,721 sq km and also embodies the VMC (Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation), municipal towns like Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, Bheemunipatnam and Gajuwaka, 287 villages and 178 gram panchayats.

Objectives of the VMRDA

There is a specific set of objectives that the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority aims to accomplish. These include:-

• Master plan preparation and execution.
• Development activities coordination with different agencies.
• Offering infrastructure facilities.
• Creation and implementation of sector-specific projects.
• Regulation and control of development through statutory plans and other measures.

VMRDA Functions

The VMRDA in general has multiple functions. The most significant ones are as follows:-

• To govern and implement development as per set plans.
• To create the VMRDA master plan and ZDP (Zonal Development Plan) for the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region.
• To align all the developmental projects and ensure proper implementation of master plan proposals.
• To initiate land acquisition and development.
• To develop and implement housing infrastructure projects.
• Undertake satellite townships, sites and services to attain planned development.
• Take-up housing projects under public housing and HUDCO’s financial assistance to cater to all kinds of income groups.
• To assign plots and houses to different income groups.
• Take up development of new roads as well as road-widening projects.
• To expand commercial, shopping and office complexes.
• Manage the infrastructure of the township areas, layouts and colonies initiated by the VUDA.
• Formulate recreational facilities.
• Manage urban forestry.
• Coordinate and implement essential important urban development plans.

Projects Under VMRDA, Visakhapatnam

The VMRDA works on varied projects at the same time. The most recent proposed projects include the following.   

1.   Mudasarlova Park Development

• VMRDA ideated the development of the Mudasarlova Park, including the creation of a water reservoir in its premises. Once completed, the theme park will be promoted as an international tourist destination.
• The development of this project will comprise the already existing landscape and natural resources. Additionally, the authority has adopted an innovative  self-sustainable approach to complete it.
• The estimated cost of the project is around ₹15 crores.
• The Andhra Pradesh University Grants Commission (APUGC) will finalize the project design.
• A joint meeting with the VMRDA Commissioner and Andhra Pradesh’s Urban Green and Beautification Corporation took place on 31st November 2017 to discuss the project. 

2.   PHASE I of the 7 Master Plan Roads of VMR

Given below are the details of the major ongoing road and railway projects in Phase I of the 7 Master Plan Roads of VMRDA.  

Pedamushidivada-Tri Junction: VMRDA has taken up the responsibility of widening the Pedamushidivada – Tri Junction road by a length of 1.9 km. With an approximate cost of ₹7.60 crores, it is expected to expand by 329 acres and is still in progress.

Lankelapalem Junction-Sabbavaram Road: The project is expected to extend to a length of 11.01 km. With an approximate cost of ₹44.04 crores, it is expected to expand by 1893.72 acres and is still in progress.

Visakha Valley School Road: The road is expected to extend to a length of 1.60 km. A work in progress, the approximate cost of the project is ₹6.40 crores.

Rushikonda Satellite Layout: The project is expected to extend to a length of 0.59 km. With an approximate cost of ₹2.36 crores, it is expected to expand by 101.99 acres and is still in progress.

Duvvada Railway Station-Kurmannapalem Arch: This project, worth ₹8.40 crores, aims to extend the Duvvada Railway line to a length of 2.1 km.

Vepagunta Junction to Pinagadi Junction Via Chimalapalli Village-Chimalapalli Road: The Chimalapalli Road is expected to extend to a length of 9.0 km. With an approximate cost of ₹36 crores, it is expected to expand by 1556 acres.

Y Junction-Bheemili Beach Road (Dorathota Road): The road is expected to extend to a length of 7.96 km. With an approximate cost of ₹31.84 crores, it is expected to expand by 1376 acres.

3. Tourism Museum at Beach Road

The Tourist Museum at Beach Road is another one of the VMRDA proposals. It is still in the preparation stage. The aim is to develop an integrated state-of-the-art museum that includes, Rajiv Smruthi, War Memorial, Submarine, TU -142 Aircraft and AU Convention Hall.

4. Modern Auditorium at MVP Colony

• With the site area of Acs.1.49 Cts, the estimated cost of this project is ₹32.25 crores.
•  The auditorium will have a great seating capacity accommodating around 1500 people.

5. Modern Multi Storied Parking Complex with Top Floors

Spanning over an area of 6540 square yards, this project is worth ₹60 crores. Currently, it is under the feasibility stage.

VMRDA Approved Layouts

Every year, tonnes of applicants send in layouts for city development to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority. The authority goes through each of them and approves/rejects them. Here’s a list of some of the prominent villages across the three major mandals of Parawada, Atchutapuram and Rambilli that comprise VMRDA approved layouts.

Note: You can find the complete list of VMRDA approved layouts (public and private) on their official website.

VMRDA Online Portal

You can visit the official VMRDA portal at http://www.vmrda.gov.in/. The portal gives citizens easy access to all the information related to VMRDA and allows them to register themselves for development projects.

The VMRDA publishes notices, circulars, events, and details related to jobs and tenders on this portal to help citizens stay abreast with all the latest developments.

Online Services on the VMRDA Portal

On the official VMRDA website, you will find a special tab called “Online Services” with options like:

• Application for Layout Plan Approval
• Application for Layout and Building Plan Approval
• Online Rental Payments
• Geo Tagging Details
• VMRDA Master Plan – 2041
• Venues Online Booking System

Clicking on any of these options will take you to its detailed page. The first two options will require you to log in to the portal while the other options will provide you with details of the particular service.

VMRDA Appointments

Applying for a layout plan on VMRDA for the first time and have questions? Ask them directly by booking an appointment. You may contact the authority via:-

How to Register on the VMRDA Online Portal?

Choosing the “Application for Layout Plan Approval” from the Online Services tab in the VMRDA portal will take you to its application registration page.

Here, you need to click on Register Online and fill out the following fields. All of them have a (*) next to them which means, they are mandatory to fill.

• Name
• Email
• Address
• Mobile Number      
• Password
• Confirm Password

Once you are done filling out the form, click on the Submit button to complete the registration.

Then login to the portal using your username and password.

11 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Plots in Visakhapatnam

Those planning to buy a plot in the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Area need to remember some essential pointers:-

• Don’t buy a plot that hasn’t been VMRDA approved. Only plots with final layouts and L.P NO.(Layout Plan Number) approved by VMRDA are considered valid for purchase.
• Don’t buy a plot with a B.L.P.No. (Block Layout Plan Number). That makes it a provisional layout. B.L.P.No. means provisional permission for infrastructure development but not for selling plots. Moreover, B.L.P.No. plots can be cancelled if the infrastructure is not developed by the seller.
• A final layout comprises the below-mentioned infrastructural facilities on ground.
  • WBM roads
  • Pucca drains
  • Avenue plantation
  • Street lighting
  • Water supply arrangements
  • Public open place provision

Note: Once you have verified these facilities, confirm whether Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority has given L.P to the plot or not.

• Don’t believe in misleading developer ads or prize offers. Doing so could lead to loss of money or fraud.
• Layouts approved by Panchayat are not valid. Make sure you don’t purchase any such plots.
• Check out all the details of survey numbers, firms, village names via phone, Fax, or the official VMRDA website under the VMRDA approved layout section.
• Before buying a plot, ensure to check which category it belongs to, such as ULC Lands, Government Lands, Assignment Lands, D-form Patta, Temple Lands.
• Don’t buy plots for industrial development purposes in a non-industrial area. Doing so is considered a land-use violation. Such areas and developments are not eligible for building plan approvals, industrial licence, electricity facilities and loan facilities.
• Follow the government-approved steps for land use or development.
• Only the government is competent enough for making changes to land use.
• Do not buy VMRDA allotted plots from people. People with VMRDA allotted plots do not have permission to sell them.
• Payments to Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority should be done via a Bank Demand Draft in favour of “The Metropolitan Commissioner, VMRDA”.  You may also make payments via Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority available challans.

What is the Building Completion Certificate Issued by VMRDA?

Once a building construction completes, the landowner or developer needs to request for a completion certificate via the local municipal officials. A qualified officer will then verify if the constructed building suits the prescribed norms. If yes, a completion certificate copy is issued to that developer or landowner.

Obtaining this certificate is essential as it helps the landowner/developer to then obtain an occupancy certificate. The occupancy certificate serves as legal identification documents for using a property in the state. 

Reclassification (Change of land use)

Change of land use or reclassification also comes under the control of VMRDA. One can request reclassification or change of land use in Visakhapatnam on the basis of:-

●     Site suitability

●     Impact on the environment

●     Compatibility with related developments

●     Accessibility

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority examines the change of land use suggestion. They also check if all the essential documents associated with reclassification are submitted by the applicant. After that is done, they take the remaining steps to complete the reclassification procedure.

How to File a Complaint with VMRDA?

There could be various situations where you may need to file a complaint to VMRDA. This could include anything from illegal construction to malpractices within the VMRDA organisation.

In such a circumstance, you can reach the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority directly. You can:-

• Write an email addressing the VMRDA officials at mcvmrda@gmail.com
• Call them at any of these numbers: 0891-2868200, 0891-2754133/34,2755155
• Visit the VMRDA office in 8th Floor, Udyog Bhavan, Siripuram Jn.,   Visakhapatnam-530003

Make sure you explain your complaint properly so as to get a quick solution for it. The authority takes complaints very seriously and works towards resolving them as quickly as possible.

FAQ’s on VMRDA:-