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The local belief behind the name of the city-states there was a king in the 4th century, who on his pilgrimage halted at Lawson's Bay and built a temple dedicated toVaisakha, which was submerged under the sea, but the name of the temple became attached to the settlement.[40] Other historical names are,Kulotungapatnam, named by the Chola KingKulottunga I;Ishakapatnam, based on a Muslim Saint, Syed Ali Madani (Ishak Madani).[40][41] During theEast India Company rule in India, the city was known with the name,Vizagapatnam.[42] The suburbWaltair is another such name which was derived from the name the British colonial government used.[24] "Vizagapatnam" could also be spelledVisakhapatnam in the West European alphabet. The name was popularly shortened toVizag and this form was in use right from the earliest days of British colonial rule in the district in the late eighteenth century.[43] It is still referred to as Vizag by locals too; however, sinceindependence, people have reverted to calling it by its Indian name of Visakhapatnam.[40]
Visakhapatnam's history stretches back to the 6th century BCE and the city finds mention in ancient texts such as the 4th century BCE writings ofPāṇini andKatyayana. Historically considered part of theKalinga region,[32][33] it was ruled by theVengi kingdom and thePallava andEastern Ganga dynasties during medieval times.[26] Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries C.E. by theChola dynasty kingKulothunga I. Control over the city fluctuated between theChola dynasty ofTamil Nadu and theGajapati Kingdom ofOdisha[32][33] until its conquest by theVijayanagara Empire in the 15th century.[26]
The city was ruled by the Andhra Kings of Vengi and Pallavas. The city is named after Sri Visakha Varma.[44] Legend has it thatRadha andViśakha were born on the same day and were equally beautiful. Sri Visakka Sakhi is the second most importantgopi of the eight main gopis. She carries messages between Radha and Krishna and is the most expert Gopi messenger. Residents believe that an Andhra king built a temple to pay homage to his family deity Viśakha. This is now inundated under seawater nearR K Beach. Another theory is that it is named after a woman disciple of Buddha namedViśakha. Later it was ruled byKingdom of Jeypore (1535–1571),Qutb Shahis (1571–1674) and (1674–1711),Mughal Empire (1711–1724) andNizam (1724–1757). TheFrench (1757) andBritish (1765) established Factories and influence over the city. In 1794 theBattle of Padmanabham occurred between theZamindari of Vizianagaram and the East India Company.[45] after the battle,Vizianagaram estate was acquired by the East India company in 1802.[46] TheBritish East India Company fought the 1804Battle of Vizagapatnam and it remained the underBritish colonial rule untilIndian independence in 1947 which was a part of theNorthern Circars.
Buddhist influence
Hindu texts state that during the fifth century BCE, the Visakhapatnam region was part ofKalinga territory, which extended to theGodavari river. Relics found in the area also prove the existence of aBuddhist empire in the region. Kalinga later lost the territory toKing Ashoka in the bloodiest battle of its time, which prompted Ashoka to embraceBuddhism. Ancient Buddhist sites, recently excavated, are scattered across Visakhapatnam, reflecting the region's Buddhist legacy.[47]
Pavurallakonda ("pigeon hill") is ahillock west of Bhimli, about 24 km (15 mi) from Visakhapatnam. The Buddhist settlement found here is estimated to date back from the first century BCE to the second century CE. On the hillock (which overlooks the coastline) are 16 rock-cutcisterns for collecting rainwater.Gopalapatnam, on the Tandava River, is a village surrounded by brick stupas,viharas, pottery and other Buddhist artefacts.[48]
In 1907 British archaeologist Alexander Rea unearthed Sankaram, a 2,000-year-old Buddhist site. The name "Śankaram" derives from theSangharama (temple or monastery). Located 40 km (25 mi) south of Visakhapatnam, it is known locally asBojjannakonda and is a significant Buddhist site in Andhra Pradesh. The three major schools of Buddhism (Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana) flourished here. The complex is known for its monolithicstupas, rock-cut caves and brick structures. The primary stupa was initially carved out of rock and covered with bricks. Excavations yielded historic pottery andSatavahana coins from the first century CE. At Lingalakonda, there are also rock-cut monolithic stupas in rows spread over the hill.[49] The vihara, a monastery, was active for about 1,000 years.[49]
Nearby is another Buddhist site, Bojjannakonda, with several images of the Buddha carved on the rock face of the caves. At Ligalametta there are hundreds of rock-cut monolithic stupas in rows, spread across the hill. Among other Buddhist attractions are a relic casket, threechaitya halls, votive platforms, stupas andVajrayana sculptures.[50]
Bavikonda is an important Buddhist heritage site located on a hill about 15 km (9.3 mi), northeast of Visakhapatnam city. Here the Buddhist habitation is noticed on a 16 ha flat terraced area. The Hinayana school of Buddhism was practised at the monastery between the 3rd century B.C. and the 3rd century A.D. Bavikonda has remains of an entire Buddhist complex, comprising 26 structures belonging to three phases. A piece of bone stored in an urn recovered here is believed to belong to the mortal remains of theBuddha. The wordBavikonda inTelugu means "a hill of wells". Fitting its name, Bavikonda is a hill with wells for the collection of rainwater. It is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from Visakhapatnam and is a significant Buddhist site.
Excavation carried out from 1982 to 1987 revealed a Buddhist establishment including a mahachaitya, also referred to as a grand stupa, embedded with relic caskets,[51] a large Vihara (monastery) complex, numerous votive stupas, a stone-pillared congregation and rectangular halls and a refectory. Artifacts recovered from the site include Roman andSatavahana coins and pottery dating from the third century BCE to the second century CE. A significant finding was a piece of bone (with a large quantity of ash) in an urn, which is believed to be the remains of theBuddha. The Bavikonda site is considered one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Asia. It is a reminder of the Buddhist civilisation which once existed in southern India, and also reminiscent ofBorobudur in Indonesia.[52]
Thotlakonda
Third-century BCE Buddhist ruins ofTotlakondaThotlakonda Buddhist Complex
About 16 km (9.9 mi) from Visakhapatnam isThotlakonda, aBuddhist complex situated on top of a hill. The Buddhist complex on the Mangamaripeta hilltop, locally known asTotlakonda, lies about 16 km (9.9 mi) from Visakhapatnam on Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road. After its discovery (during an aerial survey), the Government of Andhra Pradesh declared the 48 ha site as a protected monument in 1978. Excavations from 1988 to 1992 exposed structural remains and artefacts, classified as Religious, Secular, and Civil. These structures include the Stupa, Chaityagrihas, pillared congregation halls, bhandagaras, refectory (bhojanasala), drainage, and stone pathways. The site covers an area of 120 acres (49 hectares), and has been declared a protected area by the government of Andhra Pradesh. Excavations have revealed three kinds of structural remains: religious, secular, and civil. Structures include a mahastupa, 16 votivestupas, a stone-pillared congregation hall, eleven rock-cut cisterns, well-paved stone pathways, anapsidalchaitya-griha, three round chaitgya-grihas, two votive platforms, tenviharas and a kitchen complex with three halls and a refectory (dining hall). Apart from the structures, Buddhist treasures excavated include nineSatavahana and five Roman silver coins,terracotta tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniaturestupa models in stone, Buddhapadas depicted withashtamangala symbols (i.e. the eight auspicious symbols of Swastika, Shrivasta, Nandhyavarta, Vardhamanaka, Bhadrasana, Kalasha, Minyugala and Darpan) and early pottery.[53]
Later history
Mor Sjanua Regimental Cemetery near Jagadamba junction
The territory of Visakhapatnam then came under the Andhra rulers ofVengi, andChalukyas andPallavas ruled the land. The region was ruled by theEastern Ganga king and theGajapati kings from the 10th century to the 16th century CE. Based on archaeological evidence, thePrabhakar and the Eastern Ganga Kings built temples in the city in the 11th and 12th centuries. In the late 16th century, it came under the direct rule of theSuryavanshi king,Maharaja Vishwanath Dev Gajapati ofJeypore. However, from 1571 to 1674 it fell under the control and administration of theQutb Shahi kings ofGolconda who appointed a governor orFaujdar to collect taxes in the region. This Faujdar governed the area fromSrikakulam or Chicacole as it was then known. In 1674, the Maharaja of Jeypore, Vishwambhar Dev defeated the Foujdar and claimed sovereignty from the deteriorating Qutb Shahis.[54] Vishwambhar is also said to have defeated the Dutch East India Company who allegedly abducted locals, mostly fishermen living by the sea-shore. Later his descendant, Maharaja Raghunath Krishna Dev defeated the Seer Lascer appointed by the Mughals and maintained his rule over the region. Therefore, Visakhapatnam remained a part of theKingdom of Jeypore until the death of Maharaja Ram Chandra Dev I in 1711 after which it was taken over by theNizam of Hyderabad who could only govern it for a few decades before transferring it to the British.[55] Even in the colonial era, the kings of Jeypore were referred to as the Maharaja or Raja of Vizagapatnam.[56] European merchants from France, Holland and theEast India Company used the natural port to export tobacco,paddy, coal, iron ore, ivory,muslin and other textile products. The British developed Visakhapatnam as a prominent harbour on the east coast. The old port inJalari Peta was built and used by the Maharaja of Jeypore who also owned several ships. During theFirst World War,Maharaja Vikram Dev III sent his fleet of ships to aid the British and later donated the port to the British government of Madras.[54] It is now a fish market.
Local legend tells that anAndhra king, on his way toBenares, rested at Visakhapatnam and was so enchanted by its beauty that he ordered a temple to be built in honour of his family deity, Viśakha. Archaeological sources, however, reveal that the temple was probably built between the 11th and 12th centuries by the Cholas. A shipping merchant, Sankarayya Chetty, built one of the mandapams (pillared halls) of the temple. Although it no longer exists (possibly washed away about 100 years ago by a cyclonic storm), elderly residents of Visakhapatnam remember visits to the ancient shrine by their grandparents (although author Ganapatiraju Atchuta Rama Raju denies this).[57]
During the 18th century Visakhapatnam was part of theNorthern Circars, a region comprisingcoastal Andhra and southern coastal Odisha which was first under French control and later British. Visakhapatnam became a district in theMadras Presidency ofBritish India. In September 1804, British and French squadrons fought theBattle of Vizagapatam near the harbour. After India's independence, it was the largest district in the country and was subsequently divided into the districts ofSrikakulam,Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.
Part of the city is known by its colonial British name, Waltair; during the colonial era, the city's hub was the Waltair railway station and a part of the city is still called Waltair.
On 7 May 2020, the city suffered an industrial accident when a polymer plant leaked toxicstyrene gas, as it restarted operations after theCoronavirus lockdown. Thisgas leak killed at least eleven people, and drew comparisons to theBhopal disaster.[58]
The city is situated between theEastern Ghats and theBay of Bengal.[21] The city coordinates lies between 17.7041 N and 83.2977 E.[15][16] The city's area is 682 km2. The average elevation is 45 metres.[59] Visakhpatnam is situated inCoastal Andhra Region.[60]
Visakhapatnam has atropical savanna climate (Köppen:Aw, closely borderingAs).[16] The annual mean temperatures range between 24.7–30.6 °C (76–87 °F), with the maximum in May and the minimum in January; the minimum temperatures ranges between 17–27 °C (63–81 °F). The highest maximum temperature ever recorded was 42.0 °C (107.6 °F) in 1978, and the lowest was 10.5 °C (51 °F) on 6 January 1962.[62][63] It receives rainfall from theSouth-west andNorth-east monsoons[16] and the average annual rainfall recorded is 1,118.8 mm (44.05 in).[64] In October 2014Cyclone Hudhud made landfall near Visakhapatnam.[65]
Vishakhapatnam has been ranked 22nd best "National Clean Air City" (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India.[74]
Demographics
Population of Vizag (by gender)
Male 873,599 (50.6%)
Female 854,529 (49.4%)
As of 2011[update]census of India, Visakhapatnam had a population of 1,728,128, of which males were 873,599 and females were 854,529 – asex ratio of 978 females per 1000 males. The population density was 18,480/km2 (47,900/sq mi). There were 164,129 children in the age group of 0–6 years, with 84,298 boys and 79,831 girls – a sex ratio was 947 girls per 1000 boys. The averageliteracy rate stood at 81.79% with a total of 1,279,137 literates, of which 688,678 were males and 590,459 were females.[75][76] It is ranked 122 in the list of fastest-growing cities in the world.[77] The total slum population covers 44.61% of the total population which implies 770,971 people reside in slums.[78]
The recent estimates of city's population are 2,358,412 in 2022.[79]
Telugu is the official and the most predominantly spoken language by native speakers.[81][82] Two dialects ofTelugu are spoken by the people, the common dialect and theUttarandhra (North Eastern Andhra) dialect. The latter is mainly spoken by the people who originally belong to the districts ofVizianagaram andSrikakulam.[83] A cosmopolitan population of Visakhapatnam comprises Tamils,[84][85] Malayalis,[86][87] Sindhis,[88] Kannadigas,[89][90]Odias,[91] Bengalis and Bihari migrants from other regions of India.[92][93] There is also an Anglo-Indian community, regarded as the first cosmopolitans of the city.[94]
According to the 2011 census, Telugu is the most spoken language in the city, with 92.13% speakers, followed byUrdu (2.77%),Hindi (2.19%),Odia (0.92%).[80]
Hinduism is practised by the majority of its citizens, followed by Islam and Christianity. The area practisedBuddhism in the ancient past, as evidenced by the many Buddhistsangharamas in the outlying areas but the population of Buddhists has waned, with approximately 0.03% population in the entire city based on the recent census.[96]
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is the civic body that oversees the civic needs of the city.[97] One of the earliest municipalities in this area, the Vizag (Visakhapatnam) Municipality was set up in 1858 to fulfill the basic infrastructural needs of the people. It was converted into a municipal corporation in 1979. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation came into existence on 21 November 2005 after the release of G.O by Govt of Andhra Pradesh.[98]
It has a jurisdictional area of 681.96 km2 (263.31 sq mi), which includes the merged municipalities ofGajuwaka,Anakapalle andBheemunipatnam.[99][100] Although as per the 2011 census, it is 513.61 km2 (198.31 sq mi) mentioned in the district town amenities handbook of Andhra Pradesh, portraying a rise in area covered by the municipal corporation in these years[101]
The municipal corporation of Vishakapatnam is governed by three acts. First is the State Municipal Act, the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act 1965, the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations 1994 Act, as well as an act specific to the Vishakapatnam Municipal Corporation Act 1979.[102][103]
The city is divided into 9 zones, In a recent agglomeration of five Bheemili villages with a population of 19,000 into the GVMC jurisdiction the number of wards has increased to 98.[104]
Municipal elections and civic government officials
The previous Municipal Elections were held in 2007. After a larger gap of 13 years, the elections were scheduled to happen on 23 March 2020.[105] The results of the latest municipal elections for 145 municipalities and 10 municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh were held on 30 March and the results were announced on Monday. Of the 92 municipalities in Seemandhra, TDP won 65 municipalities and YSR Congress 19. Of the seven municipal corporations, TDP bagged five and YSR Congress two.[105]
The City governance structure of GVMC consists of an elected wing headed by the Mayor an administrative wing headed by the Administrative Commissioner, four Additional commissioners, and eight zonal commissioners. Mayor elections were planned to be carried out in March 2020 but details are yet to be declared.[105] The present municipal commissioner of the city is G Srijana. The municipal commissioner looks after the administration of the municipal corporation.[106]
The executive wing has departments for Engineering, Public health, revenue, town planning, horticulture, education, finance, general administration, projects, IT E-governance and Urban Community Development.[107]
The organisational structure of the GVMC includes standing committees, ward committees and special committees, The corporation wards committees must be of not less than ten wards, special committees are appointed by the corporation out of their own body, and a standing committee consisting of chairpersons from all wards.[108]
Municipal budget
The GVMC estimated a budget of₹4,171crore (equivalent to₹49 billion or US$580 million in 2023) for the financial year 2020–21. It shows an increase of₹337 crore (equivalent to₹419 crore or US$50 million in 2023) compared to the last budget for 2019–20.[109] The Revenue Department of GVMC generates its revenue by levying of Property Tax, Vacant Land Tax and it is the collection and dealing with Remunerative Enterprises, Water Charges, etc.[110]
Masterplan
Beach road along the Kailasagiri hill illuminated with Automobile trails at night
In 2019, the Planning wing of theVisakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) started preparing a 'perspective plan 2051' which is a 30-year strategic plan, apart from another 'master plan 2041'. The 'perspective plan' is expected to include provisions for resource conservation, regional growth, economic growth and transportation strategies, coastal zone regulations, disaster management strategies, population forecast and distribution, a broad structure plan, and an implementation plan.[111]
The 'master plan' proposes a growth strategy with transit-oriented development strategies, expansion of satellite towns such as Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, Bheemili, etc., theme-based economic nodes along the proposed metro-rail corridor, bus-based public transport, tourism destination development, a comprehensive rural agenda and resilient city planning.[111]
Yet another proposal includes a transit corridor connecting Bhogapuram Airport with the existing business centres of the city and the industrial clusters in Atchutapuram under the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor.[111]
District Administration
The district area is 11,161 km2 (4,309 sq mi). The Sub-Division is divided into Mandals. Visakhapatnam District Consists of 43 mandals, each headed by a Tahsildar.[112] It also has one Municipal Corporation and two Municipalities. There are four revenue divisions in the district.[113] A Revenue division is headed by Revenue Divisional Officer in the rank of Sub–Collector in the cadre ofI.A.S. or a Deputy Collector. He is the Sub Divisional Magistrate having jurisdiction over his division.[114]
Law and order
Law and order in the city are dealt byVisakhapatnam City Police, equipped with a Police Commissionerate with the Commissioner of Police as the head and with assisted by threedeputy commissioners for different zones.[115] The current City Police Commissioner is Mr. Manish Kumar Sinha.[116]Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is an urban planning agency that covers the GVMC and its suburbs covering, two corporations, one municipality, one nagar panchayat and 895 villages from two districts of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.[117][100] The expanded area of the city, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region extends to 4,873 km2 (1,881 sq mi) with a population of50,18,000 (Western: 5,018,000) and is under the administration ofVisakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority.[118][119][120]
The District & Sessions Court is located in Vishakapatnam City and it also includes family courts.
TheAndhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) supplies power to the city of Visakhapatnam.[124] The fire services in the city is carried out by the state fire department, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Department, Eastern region (AP Fire).[125]
The city water supply is essentially stored in the three service reservoirs – Town Service Reservoir, Dwarakanagar; High-Level Service Reservoir, T.B. Road, Uplands and Circuit House Reservoir,Waltair Uplands. The city is divided into 14 blocks according to contours and each block is served by separate reservoirs. 35 reservoirs are serving the different segments of the system. Domestic water supply is mainly through public taps and house service connections.[126]
There are about 2072 bore wells as groundwater sources. As per a report from 2015, "GVMC relies mostly on surface water for its raw water supply and serves 54.9 per cent of the city through household-level piped connections. There is a supply gap of almost 66 million litres per day (MLD)[127]
As of 2019[update], only 50 per cent of the city has access to underground drainage. This is after the city grew over the last decade andBheemili andAnakapalli among other peripheral villages came under the GVMC's jurisdiction. The GVMC has taken up a project to extend the underground drainage network with a budget of₹10 crore (equivalent to₹12 crore or US$1.5 million in 2023). The new project will provide underground drainage access to an estimated 8,000 households. The network will be built under the command area of pumping stations atVenkata Puram and Vimannagar and its vicinity.[128]
In the year 2015, the municipal corporation generated 920 tons of waste per day. Waste generated from all the wards has been disposed of at the dumpsite inKapuluppada since 2007.[129]
Visakhapatnam is one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the world.[130] The usualseafood exporting capacity of the harbour is 115,000tonnes (127,000 short tons)[131] and during theFY 2015, it topped seafood exports in terms of value among other ports.[132]Visakhapatnam Port andGangavaram Port are the two ports of the city and the former one topped charts which handled 60,000,000 tonnes (66,000,000 short tons) of cargo during the financial year 2016–17.[133] TheHindustan Shipyard undertakes building and repairing ofNaval fleet.[134]
Information technology
The growth in the IT sector in recent times has boosted the local economy.[135] In 2016–17, theIT industry in Visakhapatnam witnessed an increase in its turnover which recorded as₹54 billion (US$640 million) with more than 350 firms,[136] in contrast to 2013–14 figures of₹1,450 crore (equivalent to₹25 billion or US$290 million in 2023).[137]Sunrise Startup Village, an incubation centre[138] andFintech Valley Vizag were established to promote the city as a globalfintech capital in the Andhra Pradesh state.[139]Millennium IT Towers 1 was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Andhra PradeshN. Chandrababu Naidu on 15 February 2019 andMillennium IT Towers 2 is in pipeline to promote fintech investments in the city.[140]
In July 2025, it was reported thatGoogle plans to invest US$6 billion to build a 1-gigawatt data centre campus in Visakhapatnam. The project, which includes approximately US$2 billion for renewable energy infrastructure, is expected to be the company’s largest data centre development inAsia. The initiative aligns withAndhra Pradesh’s broader goal of creating 6 GW of total data centre capacity within five years and is intended to support growing demands forcloud computing,artificial intelligence, and low-latency digital services inIndia.[144][145]
The prevalence offerroalloy plants is due to the availability of manganese ore near Visakhapatnam. Aluminium refineries such as AnRak Aluminium and Jindal Aluminium are developing because of the bauxite reserves around the city.[150] Visakhapatnam is a part of thePetroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR), proposed between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. The PCPIR is expected to generate 1.2 million jobs and require a projected investment of₹400 billion (US$4.7 billion).[151]NTPC's 2,000MWSimhadri Super Thermal Power Station is undergoing an expansion with the construction of an addition supercritical unit that will generate between 660 and 1,000 MW.[152] Hindujas has begun construction of a 1,070 MW thermal power plant in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of US$1.25 billion.[153]
Cityscape
INS Kursura (S20)City scape from beach road near Tenneti park
Visakhapatnam is one of the main tourism destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is known for its beaches, caves and the Eastern Ghats as well as wildlife sanctuaries. About 30% of the city is covered with greenery.[154]
Major landmarks in the city includeDolphin's Nose,lighthouse,Kailasagiri,Beach Road,VMRDA Park,Visakha Museum and Matsyadarsini (an aquarium). TheINS Kursura Submarine Museum and Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraftTU 142 Aircraft Museum opposite to each other is the only one of its kind in the world,[failed verification] conceptualising the hunted and hunter of the wars.[155]Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in the city has variety of wildlife species.Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red sand dunes) are situated between Visakhapatnam andBheemunipatnam are one of thegeo-heritage sites in the country. This tourist spot is now protected and preserved as a heritage site.[156] D Ramanaidu Film Studio is one of the film shooting destinations in the city.[157]Telugu Samskruthika Niketanam on atop Kailasagiri was developed by World Telugu Federation and Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority,[158] Adding one more feather to its cap, Visakhapatnam is home to India's tallest musical fountain opened in the Vuda City Central Park. Oscillating vertically at 360 degrees, the fountain dances to the tune of digital music in different colours.[159][160]
A villager with a decorated bull during Pongal festival
The city embraces rich religious diversity, with Hinduism being the majority religion, alongside Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism. Telugu is the predominantly spoken language, reflecting the city's cosmopolitan culture with a significant presence of Odia, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam speakers. Visakhapatnam offers a blend of South Indian and Western cuisines, with popular dishes like Moori Mixture and bamboo chicken ofAraku Valley. The city celebrates various festivals including Makar Sankranti, Ugadi, Vinayaka Chavithi, Diwali, and Dasara. Cricket is the most favoured sport, with facilities like theDr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium. Additionally, the city is home to attractions like the Telugu Samskruthika Niketanam Museum, Submarine Museum, TUV, and Harrier aircraft museums.
Some of the religious sites are also of great importance likeSimhachalam temple of LordNarasimha 16 km (9.9 mi) north of the city,[164][165] andSri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple. Archaeological excavations of Buddhist shrines and sites, including Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, Pavuralakonda and Panchadarla, revealed Buddhist dominance in this area.[166]
TheAPSRTC operates city, district, and inter-state bus services from Dwaraka bus station.[172] Over 600 city buses operate over 150 routes, in addition toBus Rapid Transit System in two corridors of Pendurthi and Simhachalam.[167]: 21 A plannedIntegrated Bus Terminal Complex would be built at Maddilapalem.[173] Apart from buses, there are about 25,000 auto rickshaws plying on the city roads which provideintermediate public transport.[167]: 22
Visakhapatnam is the headquarters ofSouth Coast Railway zone of Indian railways.Visakhapatnam railway station is as anA1 station[174] with the highest gross revenue in theWaltair railway division.[175] It serves an average of 20,000–25,000 passengers daily and may rise to 40,000 during festivals.[169] It has the country's largest diesel locomotive shed with a capacity of 206.[176] Visakhapatnam Metro is a planned metro rail project.[177]
Visakhapatnam Airport Terminal
As of 2013[update], the percentage of transport mode shares in the city are, 18% buses, 9% autos, 15% two-wheelers, 2% cars and 55% non-motorised transport (bicycles and pedestrians).[167]: 23 The total road network accounts for a total length of 2,007.10 km (1,247.15 mi).[178]NH16, a major highway and a part of theGolden Quadrilateral system bypasses the city.
Visakhapatnam Airport had served a total of 2,815,205 passengers in 2018, an increase of 16.8% from the previous year. It handled a total of 23,264 aircraft during that year.
Primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under theSchool Education Department of the state.[181][182] As per the school information report for the academic year 2016–17, urban Visakhapatnam had1,44,268 (Western: 144,268) students[183] enrolled in 434 schools.[184] TheCentral Board of Secondary Education,Secondary School Certificate or theIndian Certificate of Secondary Education are the different types of syllabus followed by different schools. The medium of instruction followed by schools are English and Telugu.[185] TheSt. Aloysius Anglo Indian Boys High School is the oldest school in the city to have established in the year 1847.[186] The Visakhapatnam District Central Library is supported by the government and is located at Dwaraka Nagar.[187][188]
There are tens of junior colleges under Government, Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential and private undertakings.[189]Andhra University is the only autonomous college approved underUniversities Grant Commission scheme.[190]Mrs. A. V. N. College is one of the oldest educational institution in the city.[162]: 35
INS Vikrant makes a grand debut at the scenic port of Visakhapatnam for MILAN 2024
Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of theEastern Naval Command, theNaval Science and Technological Laboratory (aDRDO Lab), a Chief Quality Assurance Establishment (CQAE), an EFS office, a Naval Dockyard (established in 1949) and Naval Bases includingINS Virbahu,INS Karna,INS Kalinga, INS Samudrika,INS Satavahana, andINS Dega. A new base atINS Rambilli is being built on 5,000 acres (20 km2) with an investment of₹15 billion (equivalent to₹25 billion or US$300 million in 2023), as the first dedicated nuclear submarine base in India.[196][197] India's first nuclear submarineINS Arihant was launched in the Naval Dockyard, andBharat Dynamics has begun manufacturing torpedoes.[198] The city also has presence of theIndian Coast Guard including ships and offices. Multiple naval training establishments, such as the Navy ShipWright School,[199] are also situated here.
Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium atPM PalemENC Cricket Team which won the VDCA Institutional League Cricket Championship 2015–16
Cricket is the most popular sport, followed bytennis andfootball. Visakhapatnam is home to several local cricket teams participating in district and zonal matches. Gully cricket orbackyard cricket (a form of cricket played in streets or parks) is a popular sport among local youth. Visakhapatnam co-hosted the 32ndNational Games alongsideHyderabad in 2002. The city has seven cricket stadiums, which are used forRanji Trophy matches; two of these stadiums have been used forone day international (ODI) matches.[202]Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, also known as the Municipal Corporation Stadium, hosted the first ODI match on 9 December 1988 and the last ODI on 3 April 2001. The stadium was discontinued in favour of the newDr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium,PM Palem.[203]
Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium is the home ofAndhra Cricket Association. It regularly hostsRanji Trophy, One Day Internationals, andTest Internationals. The stadium is the home ground ofAndhra cricket team. The stadium also hostedIPL matches as a neutral venue. It hosted its first test match against England beginning on 17 November 2016.[204][205]
Port Trust Golden Jubilee Stadium is the second largest stadium in Visakhapatnam, which has hosted Under-19 Youth Internationals. It also hosted the2014 Pro Kabaddi League season as the home ground for theTelugu Titans.[206]Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium, built by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, is used for various indoor sports,[207] and the GVMC Aqua Sports Complex, an aquatic centre for swimming and diving, is near the beach road.[208]
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^"Upgradation of VMRDA".The Times of India. Visakhapatnam. 13 August 2018.Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved21 December 2018.
^"Key Facts on VMR"(PDF).Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority. pp. 44–45. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved21 December 2015.
^Subrahmanyam, G. S. (30 September 2014)."Starup village in Vizag".The Hindu.Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved30 September 2014.
^"School Education Department"(PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 19 March 2016. Retrieved12 April 2017.
^"Student Information Report".Commissionerate of School Education. Child info 2016–17, District School Education – Andhra Pradesh. Archived fromthe original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved8 November 2016.
^"GIS Coordinates".Commissionerate of School Education. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived fromthe original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved8 November 2016.
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911)."Vizagapatam" .Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 164–165. This contains a detailed description of the town and district under British rule.
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