Sribharat Terms 2025 As Foundation Year For Vizag’s Growth

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, along with TD MLAs, held a year-end press conference on Wednesday, highlighting what he described as significant progress in the city’s development during 2025. The public representatives credited the NDA coalition government for facilitating the city’s growth.

TD state president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivas said the CII Partnership Summit had attracted 2,600 investment proposals, of which 600 were shortlisted for further consideration.

Sribharat described 2025 as a “foundation year” for transforming Visakhapatnam into a major IT hub. He referred to key developments in the railway sector, including the establishment of the Visakhapatnam Railway Zone along with the Waltair Division. Construction of the zone headquarters at Krishnapuram is under way and is expected to be completed by December 2026, with temporary operations commencing from the VMRDA Deck Building. He also announced the approval of the Simhachalam–Gopalapatnam railway line and stressed the need for safety infrastructure, including a foot overbridge at Kothavalasa.

On the utilisation of MPLADS funds, Sribharat said priority was being given to long-term investments in education, healthcare and child welfare. Ongoing works include the reconstruction of anganwadi centres, improvement of school infrastructure and strengthening of primary healthcare facilities. He said requests for community halls were being declined, as funds should support sustainable development projects.

Highlighting growth in the aviation sector, Sribharat said passenger traffic at Visakhapatnam Airport had increased by 10 per cent. Direct flight services to Abu Dhabi have been launched, along with new services to Vijayawada. He added that full-scale air cargo operations would commence at the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport.

Women’s empowerment also featured prominently, with three working women’s hostels approved in Arilova and Gajuwaka. He welcomed Visakhapatnam’s recognition as one of the safest cities for women, as noted in the Nari–2025 report.

Infrastructure initiatives include the development of 17 master plan roads connecting Bhogapuram Airport, repairs to 88 km of GVMC roads, and job fairs that helped secure employment for 5,000 youths. Plans for an AI-based traffic management system, the Sheelanagar–Sabbavaram six-lane highway and a sports complex in Arilova are also under way.

Other MLAs present spoke about development activities in their respective constituencies and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, stating that 2025 had laid a strong foundation for Visakhapatnam’s future, with visible outcomes expected in 2026.