Curation Team
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has floated a request for proposal (RFP) for the selection of a transaction advisor to develop four theme-based townships in Kothavalasa village of Bheemili mandal, Sontyam in Anandapuram mandal, and two other locations. These projects, which may span a combined area of around 500 acres, will feature integrated, self-sustained urban clusters.
Each township will be centred around a specific theme such as IT and innovation, health and wellness, knowledge and education, tourism and culture, among others. Being close to the IT hub in Madhurawada and the upcoming industries in the Anandapuram and Bheemili areas, these townships aim to promote a walk-to-work culture.
The key objectives of the transaction advisor (consultant) will be to carry out pre-feasibility studies and prepare a financial model for the project. They will also prepare a project feasibility report and a detailed project report. The advisor will conduct stakeholder consultations, structure the project under an appropriate self-funding or public-private partnership mode, prepare bid documents, engage in market sounding, manage the bid process for the VMRDA, and onboard the concessionaire (selected developer).
The Andhra Pradesh govt recently put on hold the application process for the MIG layouts and asked the urban development authorities to take up the unlaunched MIG projects under a commercial auction model. At this juncture, the VMRDA is planning to develop several new layouts in different parts of its jurisdiction, including Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam districts.
According to VMRDA officials, the theme-based townships will be high-end projects with a focus beyond just urban planning. They aim to reimagine the future of cities, where infrastructure, industry, and people thrive in harmony. VMRDA plans this model to meet the aspirations of a smart, inclusive, and future-ready city.
VMRDA chairperson MV Pranav Gopal and metropolitan commissioner KS Viswanathan said that the theme-based cities will be a bold step towards sustainable urban innovation. “Visakhapatnam, one of India’s fastest-growing urban hubs, is set to transform its cityscape with the launch of theme-based cities. This is an ambitious initiative designed to foster sector-specific growth, enhance urban living, and catalyse economic development.
“Visakhapatnam’s natural harbour, connectivity, and geopolitical significance make it an ideal choice for this innovation-driven urban model. The initiative is expected to attract both domestic and global investments, generate over 5 to 6 lakh jobs, and enhance the quality of life for the residents. The project will be developed through public-private partnerships, EPC and hybrid models, with support from national and international urban planning experts, architects, structural designers, and engineers from various knowledge sectors. Environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and community participation will be integral throughout the planning and execution stages,” added the chairperson and the commissioner.
Interestingly, NITI Aayog, through its Growth Hub initiative, has envisioned Vizag as the ‘Bay City’ or ‘Miami of the East,’ promoting integrated urban development and thematic growth nodes. The VMRDA is planning different initiatives under this vision.
