Government sets up over 13 Mandals in VMRDA Jurisdiction

The state Government has set more than 13 mandals within Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development (VMRDA) limits, covering around 2,280km. In accordance with an official order on Tuesday, the area under the jurisdiction of the VMRDA was increased to 7,328 km. 

Government Sets 13 More Mandals in VMRDA limits 

The officials of VMRDA had previously sent proposals to the government in October 2019 for the incorporation of these 13 VMRDA mandals. They informed the state government in their letter that a significant urban expansion in the marginal parts of existing VMRDA limits was detected on the western corridor as a result of the rapid urbanization of Visakhapatnam City. 

The 13 mandals have been placed within the jurisdiction of the VMRDA to reduce pressure on urban infrastructure in the city, to ensure the planned development in its range of areas and to control the haphazard development. 

It is important to note that VMRDA will be known to be the executive capital of the Decentralization and Inclusive Development of the Andhra Pradesh Region by the year 2020. This includes the remaining parts of Visakhapatnam district, other than the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, which is composed of 11 tribal mandals. 

Visakhapatnam district consists of 43 mandals and VMRDA 19 mandals. The 13 newly added mandlas under VMRDA include Madugula, Ravikamatham, Butchayyapeta, Chodavaram, Devarapalli, K Kotapadu, Nathavaram, Kotauratla, Makavarapalem, Narsipatnam, Golugonda, Cheedikada and Rolugunta. 

These mandals are adjacent to nature and can be developed as urban areas. In the last decade—2001 to 2011 — they have seen decade-long urban population growth, from 4.10% to 8.02%. Commissioner P Koteswara Rao of VMRDA stated that these 13 mandals would also be part of the VMRDA master plan-2041 ongoing preparation. They are planning to improve fundamental infrastructure with other VMRDAs in these mandals. 

By: Shailaja K