Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) P. Narayana said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the ambitious 102-kilometre Semi-Ring Road, is slated for submission by the end of this month. The Semi-Ring Road, designed with a visionary 50-year perspective, is set to redefine Visakhapatnam’s urban landscape by integrating a land pooling system that mirrors the successful infrastructure models of Hyderabad to maximize land value for local farmers.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday (May 9, 2026), Mr. Narayana said that the project serves as a cornerstone of the city’s massive infrastructure overhaul, aiming to provide high-speed connectivity while fuelling long-term economic growth across the metropolitan region.
He noted that this flagship road project is part of a larger transformation by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) aimed at rectifying past irregularities and preparing for future urban density. Following widespread complaints regarding the 2021 Master Plan, consultancy firm was commissioned to revisit the existing framework. While the total jurisdiction of the authority spans 6,836 sq. km, the current focus is on 4,380.67 sq. km, with a draft for the remaining 2,457.48 sq. km scheduled for completion by October. This expansion will involve close coordination with local MLAs and public representatives, he added.
Public participation has been central to this revisit, with 3,720 objections notified. From these, 717 unique concerns were extracted and studied, leading to significant adjustments like 19% of the plan involved realignment, 14% focused on road widening, 11% introduced new roads, and 6% saw the removal of redundant roads, alongside 15% other modifications. Mr. Narayana emphasised that after intensive deliberations with all MLAs, majority of the objection iterations were successfully resolved. Final discussions to conclude this phase are scheduled with key representatives, including Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, on Sunday (May 10).
In tandem with the Semi-Ring Road, the Metro Rail project is progressing, with surveys expected to conclude next month, leading to formal sanctioning from the Central government, the Minister said. These projects would ensure that while the long-term 50-year vision is being established, the current needs of the citizens are met simultaneously, he added.
Mr. Narayana also emphasised the importance of long-term utility management through the adoption of a modern ducting system. This initiative is designed to house electrical cables, rainwater harvesting infrastructure, and telecom lines underground, thereby reducing the need for frequent road excavations. To complement this, a ₹4,000 crore drinking water project has been launched to cover 95% of households, while Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved a ₹9,000 crore allocation for drainage in high- and medium-density areas. In addition, 123 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under development, supported by a ₹300 crore sanction from the Pollution Control Board for land acquisition, ensuring that the city’s growth remains environmentally sustainable.