Telugu Desam Party State president Palla Srinivasa Rao has proposed the development of nearly 400 acres of government land atop the Yarada hill and another 175 acres near Aganampudi, belonging to the refractories sector, into a dedicated IT and knowledge-based industrial zones.

The Gajuwaka MLA on Tuesday conducted a review meeting with senior district officials at the Collectorate, focusing on infrastructure expansion, rehabilitation concerns, and employment generation. The two-hour-long meeting, attended by the District Collector and officials from multiple departments, deliberated on a long-pending civic, IT expansion in Gajuwaka and industrial issues affecting the Assembly Constituency.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao highlighted the growing momentum in AP’s technology sector under the leadership of IT Minister Nara Lokesh. He said that the utilisation of close to 600 acres for technology-driven industries could unlock substantial employment opportunities for local youth while accelerating urban economic activity in the region. He urged officials to undertake a detailed feasibility assessment of the identified land parcels and prepare a long-term development framework centred on IT and innovation ecosystems.

Steel Plant rehabilitation issues under scrutiny

The meeting also focused on unresolved issues linked to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and families displaced during land acquisition for the project. Mr. Srinivasa Rao expressed concern that several rehabilitation commitments made decades ago remain unfulfilled. Referring to the prolonged boundary dispute between the Steel Plant and Sanivada areas, he called for a permanent administrative solution. He also pointed out that many displaced families were yet to receive house sites, pattas or employment opportunities promised during acquisition.

The MLA directed officials to prepare comprehensive records detailing the number of pattas issued so far, pending house-site allotments, extent of encroachments on acquired land, and the number of eligible beneficiaries still awaiting rehabilitation. He also sought immediate data on pending employment claims registered with the Steel Plant land acquisition employment office.

The meeting also reviewed rehabilitation and livelihood concerns of families displaced by the Gangavaram Port project. Mr. Srinivasa Rao sought clarity on the proposed jetty construction, the status of the feasibility report, and timelines for commencement of works.

Officials were asked to furnish a detailed report on compensation and livelihood assistance reportedly paid to around 400 beneficiaries under the rehabilitation packages.

The review further covered pending development works under Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority and APIIC-related issues concerning Pharma City. Mr. Srinivasa Rao noted that nearly 300 displaced families from Pharma City colonies were still awaiting house pattas despite pursuing the matter for over two decades.

The MLA also highlighted persistent civic deficiencies within the jurisdiction of the corporation, including drinking water shortages, deteriorating roads, drainage bottlenecks and sanitation concerns. He urged the authorities to examine the possibility of regularising settlements along stormwater channels and minor water bodies where nearly 6,000 families have reportedly been residing for over three decades.