27-07-2025
GVMC launches ‘Operation Lungs' to reclaim encroached open spaces in Visakhapatnam
In a major push to protect urban green spaces, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched 'Operation Lungs – Life to Urban Green Spaces', a dedicated drive to remove encroachments from reserved open areas in the city.
The Town Planning wing initiated the operation on Saturday, clearing illegal occupations from 15 designated open spaces across various approved layouts and zones. The move follows a meeting held on July 24, where the Mayor and the GVMC Commissioner reviewed the encroachment status and instructed officials to take immediate and firm action.
Led by Chief City Planner A. Prabhakar Rao, the Town Planning teams, with support from zonal officials, ward secretariats, and local police, cleared encroachments in areas including Sangivalasa, Prashanthi Nagar, Kommadi, East Point Colony, H.B. Colony Layout, Nakkavanipalem, Marripalem, Lankelapalem, Shivaji Nagar, Godavari Township, and Narava. 'In a single day, we successfully freed 15 open spaces from encroachments,' said Mr. Prabhakar Rao, adding that the drive will continue in the coming days.
Officials said the mission is aimed at safeguarding green zones and ensuring they are preserved for public use and ecological balance.
