Imagine a city by the sea, bustling with life, full of potential, and on the cusp of global recognition. That city is Visakhapatnam—once hailed as the future of Andhra Pradesh, with dreams of becoming the next Hyderabad or Bengaluru. With its natural coastline, thriving industries, and tech ambitions, Vizag had everything going for it. But today, many residents feel those dreams are being sold off—literally—for next to nothing.
A few years ago, the previous YSRCP government announced something bold: Visakhapatnam would be the Executive Capital of Andhra Pradesh. It wasn’t just a political move; it was a vision. They saw Vizag as more than a city—it was to be the state’s economic engine. Through the “Vision Visakha” initiative, they laid out an ambitious plan: invest Rs. 1 lakh crore over five years and turn Vizag into a powerhouse to rival India’s top cities.
The vision made waves. Land prices soared, infrastructure plans were set in motion, and companies started paying attention. It felt like Vizag’s moment had arrived.
But something changed.
Under the current coalition government, that momentum seems to be slipping. Instead of building on the earlier vision, people now allege that valuable government lands are being handed out to private companies for throwaway prices—not for development, but for political favors. Many fear the city is becoming a victim of backdoor deals and short-term gains.
Take the recent example of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)—a name synonymous with trust and professionalism. TCS promised to invest Rs. 1,370 crore and create 12,000 jobs in Vizag. That sounds great, right? But what’s raised eyebrows is the price they paid for the land: just 99 paise per acre on lease. Locals are asking—how could such a prestigious company accept land at such a token rate? Was it a genuine government incentive, or was it part of a much larger and murkier plan?
Then there’s Ursa, a company most people had never heard of. Started with just Rs. 10 lakh in capital and two directors, with barely any credentials in the IT sector, Ursa somehow received prime government land right next to TCS. No clear history, no major projects—but land, nevertheless.
And this isn’t a one-off incident. In recent years:
Lulu Group received 13.43 acres near the iconic RK Beach.
Adani was allotted 190 acres on hilltop land for a data center.
Google reportedly got 250 acres near Tharuvada for another data facility.
All under the name of development. But critics ask—at what cost? And to whose benefit?
Many in North Andhra—who were once proud that their region would lead the state into a new economic era—are now disillusioned. They watched earlier governments protect these lands, waiting for the right time and the right investors. Today, they’re seeing those same lands go to companies with no public accountability, no proven track record, and often, no transparency.
