GVMC to Build 177 Homes Under Velampeta Redevelopment
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the Velampeta Slum Redevelopment Project in Visakhapatnam, paving the way for 177 housing units under a pilot in-situ redevelopment initiative.
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the Velampeta Slum Redevelopment Project in Visakhapatnam, paving the way for the construction of 177 housing units under one of the state's first major in-situ slum redevelopment initiatives.
GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg announced the decision on Friday, stating that Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration and Urban Development) S. Suresh Kumar had issued G.O. Ms. No. 1012, dated August 7, approving the project under the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) Programme.
The government approved the revised Detailed Project Report (Version 3.4) prepared by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation after incorporating recommendations of Andhra Pradesh Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited.
The project envisages the construction of 177 housing units in a high-rise residential complex with a maximum height of 45 metres on 1,986.45 sq. metres, providing permanent housing and civic infrastructure for families living in the Velampeta slum.
The project will be executed by GVMC under the Design-Build-Finance-Transfer (DBFT) model. Developers will be selected through competitive bidding based on a maximum Transferable Development Rights (TDR) ratio of 1:4, replacing the conventional construction payment model.
To facilitate implementation, the government has granted relaxations under the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2017, including concessions on building height, setbacks and parking requirements, besides exemptions from certain fees payable to GVMC, the Urban Development Authority and the Commissionerate of Town and Country Planning.
The government has directed GVMC to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe as a pilot initiative under the VER Programme. Once completed, it is expected to serve as a model for similar slum redevelopment projects across Andhra Pradesh.
Ketan Garg said the project would be implemented transparently and on schedule, with provision for drinking water, sanitation, electricity, internal roads and community amenities.
