By Mukesh 
A major shift in Visakhapatnam’s industrial landscape is on the cards as the city looks to move beyond its traditional technology clusters in the north to establish a new IT and Tourism zone on the Yarada hills along the Bay of Bengal in the south.
The plan, which hinges on the construction of a bridge near Visakhapatnam Port to bypass existing geographical barriers, could open up a 650-acre land bank and redefine the economic landscape of the Gajuwaka assembly segment.
The proposal gained momentum following a formal representation by Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao to the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA).
The MLA called for the project to be integrated into the Master Plan-2041, and advocated a bridge connecting the Port Venkateswara Swamy Temple in One Town to the Sagar Durga Temple in Yarada.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the primary objective of the proposal was to make Yarada another IT and Tourism hub in Visakhapatnam. He said the bridge was proposed to solve the long-standing accessibility issues affecting the Yarada hills. At present, the area is accessible only via a steep ghat road or through restricted Port areas, making large-scale commercial operations difficult. By establishing a direct corridor from the city’s core, the project would reduce travel times and make the 650-acre land bank viable for thousands of daily commuters and tech services, he told The Hindu.
Unlocking the 650-acre land bank
The availability of a contiguous stretch of government land offers an opportunity for planned urban expansion. Unlike the saturated clusters of Madhurawada and Rushikonda, Yarada provides space for the State to develop integrated Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Industry experts suggest the land is suited for a Live-Work-Play model, where residential colonies, schools and healthcare facilities are built alongside office spaces to create a self-sustaining ecosystem.
IT and Tourism integration
Given Yarada’s scenic coastline and natural topography, the proposal involves a Tourism-IT hybrid development strategy. The plan integrates tech parks with eco-resorts and sea-facing promenades. This dual approach is expected to make Visakhapatnam more attractive to investors and talent, and boost the local blue economy.
The project is seen as a source of employment in the Gajuwaka assembly segment and beyond, Mr. Rao said.
Rushikonda IT Park Association vice president O. Naresh Kumar said the government could attract major firms by providing the necessary infrastructure, including the bridge, high-speed connectivity and public transit links. The expansion was important to maintain Visakhapatnam’s position as a leading contributor to the State’s IT exports and industrial growth, he said.