The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Government of Moscow signed a memorandum of cooperation during the fifth International Transport Summit in Moscow. The agreement was endorsed by GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and Maksim Liksutov, deputy mayor of Moscow and head of the department of transport and road infrastructure development, with Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat present. The pact establishes a framework for collaboration on urban transport, digital innovation and industrial development between the two administrations.

Under the memorandum both sides will develop modern and sustainable urban transport systems, integrated transport plans, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and digital ticketing infrastructure. The partnership also covers the use of digital technologies in transport, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in urban transport management, autonomous transport infrastructure and participation in an Urban Transport Data Project. They are intended to support adoption of smart mobility and data driven management.

The cooperation extends to automotive and electronics manufacturing, energy storage systems, vertical transport solutions, technology transfer and the exchange of technical experts. Officials said the pact followed the visit by Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh to Russia in June 2026 after discussions with Moscow transport officials on mobility and connectivity. The accord is designed to facilitate technical collaboration and industrial linkages.

Local leaders said the partnership would help the Visakhapatnam Economic Region develop as a centre for economic growth and technological innovation in Andhra Pradesh. The minister for municipal administration and urban development described the cooperation as strengthening Visakhapatnam’s role as a regional hub. The principal secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA and UD) department, indicated the arrangement would enable knowledge exchange, the sharing of best practices and access to solutions in urban mobility and digital transformation.

GVMC officials added that the agreement is expected to improve urban infrastructure and promote technology based solutions while enabling participation in joint projects and expert exchanges. The cooperation is intended to accelerate deployment of global practices so that the city and the wider economic region can enhance connectivity, sustainability and competitiveness.