The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) inaugurated a zonal office in Vizianagaram on Tuesday as part of a drive to decentralise urban planning and improve service delivery across the metropolitan region. VMRDA chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal opened the office and later held a Praja Darbar to receive public grievances and review district development priorities.

In a summary of recent allocations, the authority reported that it had committed nearly Rs 280 mn over the past two years for development works in Vizianagaram and Nellimarla municipalities. Of this amount, around Rs 160 mn has been earmarked for Vizianagaram Municipality to strengthen civic infrastructure while approximately Rs 40 mn has been allocated for Nellimarla Municipality. The authority noted that nearly Rs 10 mn was spent last year on improvements to Gandhi Park and PSR Park.

Among the major projects announced was the widening of the Seetham College–JNTU Master Plan Road to 80 feet along a one point four five kilometre stretch at an estimated cost of Rs 72 mn to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion. For the current financial year the VMRDA said it had already released Rs 100 mn for roads, drains and culvert works, and a further Rs 50 mn will be sanctioned on completion of ongoing works. Officials indicated these interventions aim to accelerate project delivery and reduce bottlenecks in municipal infrastructure.

Plans were outlined to develop a model park in Vizianagaram on the lines of Visakhapatnam's VUDA Park, subject to the availability of suitable land. The establishment of the zonal office was described as a measure to facilitate faster implementation of development projects, improve coordination with local bodies and enhance public access to VMRDA services. The authority said the new office would act as a local focal point for monitoring works and responding to citizen concerns.