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{{short description|Metropolis in Andhra Pradesh, India}}
'''Visakhapatnam Vizag Waltair Vizagapatam''' is a metropolitan area and port city in the [[Andhra Pradesh]], India.


{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{multistub|Geo|Asia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Multiple issues|{{More citations needed|date=April 2021}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2021}}
{{Update|date=April 2021|reason=several sections of the article are outdated and require an update}}
{{Merge from|Visakhapatnam geography and environment|date=November 2021}}}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Visakhapatnam
| other_name                      = Vizag, Vizagapatam, Visakha
| settlement_type                = [[Metropolis]]
| image_skyline                  = {{Photomontage
| photo1a      = Vizag View from Kailasagiri.jpg
| photo2a      = Vizag_submarine_museum.jpg
| photo2b      = Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Simhachalam.jpg
| photo3a      = Dolphins nose hill at Vizag.jpg
| photo3b      = Kambalakonda wildlife sanctuary Landscape.jpg
| photo4a      = Aerial view of Rushikonda beach.jpg
| photo5a      = Vizag airport terminal full view.jpg
| spacing                  = 1
| color_border              = black
| color                    = white
| size                      = 230
| foot_montage = }}
| image_alt                      =
| image_caption                  = From top, left to right: Skyline of Visakhapatnam, [[INS Kursura (S20)|INS Kursura]] submarine museum, [[Simhachalam Temple]], [[Dolphin's Nose]], [[Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary]], Aerial view of [[Rushikonda Beach]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport]]
| etymology                      = <!-- There is dispute over the name of Visakhapatnam (Visakha/Ishaq) -->
| nickname                        = The City of Destiny<br />The Jewel of the East Coast<!-- Financial Capital cannot be regarded as a nickname -->
| image_map                      =
| map_caption                    =
| pushpin_map                    = India Visakhapatnam#India Andhra Pradesh#India#Asia#Earth
| pushpin_label_position          = left
| pushpin_map_alt                =
| pushpin_map_caption            =
| coordinates                    = {{coord|17|42|15|N|83|17|52|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1              = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1              = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2              = [[List of districts in Andhra Pradesh|District]]
| subdivision_name2              = [[Visakhapatnam district|Visakhapatnam]]
| subdivision_type3              =
| subdivision_name3              =
| established_title              =
| established_date                =
| established_title1              = Incorporated (town)
| established_date1              = 1865
| established_title2              = Incorporated (city)
| established_date2              = 1979
| founder                        =
| seat_type                      =
| seat                            =
| government_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref>
tags -->
| government_type                = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body                  = [[Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation|GVMC]], [[Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority|VMRDA]]
| leader_party                    = [[YSRCP]]
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                    = Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari<ref>{{cite news |title=Vizag mayor: Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari of YSRCP elected mayor of Visakhapatnam {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/golagani-hari-venkata-kumari-of-ysrc-elected-as-mayor-of-visakhapatnam/articleshow/81565973.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
| unit_pref                      = Metric
| area_footnotes                  = <ref>{{cite news |title=Vizag metro gets in-principle nod {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Vizag-Metro-Rail-DPR-gets-in-principle-nod/articleshow/28158834.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vizag tops the list of most populated districts in AP {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Yo Vizag |url=https://www.yovizag.com/vizag-highest-population-rate-andhra-pradesh/ |work=Yo Vizag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite document|title=Clean Visakha Green Visakha: Abstract|year=2018|pages=168–172|url=http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/12946/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Now, GVMC area to be reorganised into 98 wards {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/now-gvmc-area-to-be-reorganised-into-98-wards/articleshow/73103101.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stakes high for 1st GVMC polls following merger of Bheemili&Anakapalli {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/stakes-high-for-1st-gvmc-polls-following-merger-of-bheemili-anakapalli/articleshow/81317968.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
| area_metro_footnotes            = <ref>{{cite news |title=Vizag to expand: 13 mandals added to VMRDA, beach corridor and airport prioritised {{!}} The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vizag-expand-13-mandals-added-vmrda-beach-corridor-and-airport-prioritised-145834 |work=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=VMRDA area now 7.3k sq km after addition of 13 mandals {{!}} Visakhapatnam News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/vmrda-area-now-7-3k-sq-km-after-addition-of-13-mandals/articleshow/81657001.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
| area_note                      =
| area_rank                      =
| area_blank1_title              =
| area_total_km2                  = 681.96
| area_metro_km2                  = 7328.86
| area_urban_km2                  =
| elevation_footnotes            = <ref name="geo">{{cite web|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Vishakhapatnam, India|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Vishakhapatnam.html|website=www.fallingrain.com|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712082211/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Vishakhapatnam.html|archive-date=12 July 2017|url-status=live}}
</ref><ref name="climate">{{cite book|last1=Seta|first1=Fumihiko|last2=Biswas|first2=Arindam|last3=Khare|first3=Ajay|last4=Sen|first4=Joy|title=Understanding Built Environment: Proceedings of the National Conference on Sustainable Built Environment 2015|date=2016|publisher=Springer|isbn=9789811021381|page=98|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZbLDQAAQBAJ&q=visakhapatnam+tropical+climate&pg=PA98|access-date=11 July 2017|language=en}}</ref>
| elevation_m                    =
| population_as_of                = 2011
| population_footnotes            = <ref name=ua2011>{{cite web|title=INDIA STATS : Million plus cities in India as per Census 2011|url=http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2011IS3|work=Press Information Bureau, Mumbai|publisher=[[National Informatics Centre]] (NIC)|access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>
| population_total                = 1,728,128
| pop_est_as_of                  =
| pop_est_footnotes              =
| population_est                  =
| population_rank                = [[List of most populous cities in India|17th]]
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_metro_footnotes      = <ref name="metro">{{cite web|title=Key Facts on VMR|url=http://www.vuda.gov.in/pdf/rfp%20for%20area%20development%20plans%2017-9-2015%20FINAL.pdf|website=Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority|access-date=21 December 2015|pages=44–45|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013742/http://www.vuda.gov.in/pdf/rfp%20for%20area%20development%20plans%2017-9-2015%20FINAL.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_metro                = 53,40,000
| population_demonym              = Vizagite ,Waltairodu
| population_note                =
| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                    = +5:30
| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code                    = 530 0XX, 531 1XX <ref>[https://indiapincodes.net/Andhra-pradesh/Visakhapatanam/ Pincode List]</ref>
| area_code_type                  = Telephone code
| area_code                      = +91-891
| registration_plate_type        = [[Vehicle registration plate|Vehicle registration]]
| registration_plate              = [[Vehicle registration plates of India#Current codes|'''AP-31, AP-32, AP-33, AP-34 , AP-39''']]
| blank_name_sec1                = {{nowrap|Official languages}}
| blank_info_sec1                = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| blank1_name_sec1                =
| blank1_info_sec1                =
| website                        = *[https://www.gvmc.gov.in GVMC]{{refn|group=fn|Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation}}
*[http://vmrda.gov.in/Default.aspx VMRDA]{{refn|group=fn|Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority}}
*[https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/ District Authority]
 
| footnotes                      =
| official_name                  =
}}
 
'''Visakhapatnam''' {{IPAc-en|v|ɪ|ˌ|s|ɑː|k|ə|ˈ|p|ʌ|t|n|ə|m}}, [[List of renamed places in India|formerly known]] as '''Vizagapatam''' (also known as '''Vizag''' or '''Viśākha''')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yovizag.com/shor-in-the-city-vizag/|title=Behind The Name - Vizag|website=Vizag -|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> is the largest and most populous city in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]], and its proposed [[Capital city|administrative capital]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Decks cleared for three capitals in Andhra Pradesh as Governor gives nod to bills|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/jul/31/decks-cleared-for-three-capitals-in-andhra-pradesh-as-governor-gives-nod-to-bills-2177346.html|access-date=2020-07-31|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> It is between the [[Eastern Ghats]] and the coast of the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name="location">{{cite news|date=21 October 2014|title=In pics: Hudhud takes the green sheen off Vizag|work=Hindustan Times|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-hudhud-takes-the-green-sheen-off-vizag/story-EVRN3Ti9RvewyzJl1P6jjI.html|url-status=live|access-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817080057/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-hudhud-takes-the-green-sheen-off-vizag/story-EVRN3Ti9RvewyzJl1P6jjI.html|archive-date=17 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/about-district/|title=About District {{!}} Visakhapatnam District, Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} India|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref> It is the second-largest city on the [[Coastal India|east coast]] of India after [[Chennai]], and the fourth-largest in [[South India]]. It is one of the four [[Smart city|smart cities]] of Andhra Pradesh selected under the [[Smart Cities Mission]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/ap-smart-cities-to-be-ready-by-2021/articleshow/62286611.cms|title=AP: Andhra Pradesh smart cities to be ready by 2021 {{!}} Vijayawada News - Times of India|last=29 Dec|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> and serves as the headquarters of [[Visakhapatnam district]].<ref name="city of destiny">{{cite book|last1=Academy|first1=Students'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfQGAgAAQBAJ&q=vizag+bay+of+bengal+visakhapatnam+district+headquarters&pg=PA4|title=Visakhapatnam-The City of Destiny-India|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-257-06510-3|page=4|language=en|access-date=16 May 2017}}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref> With an estimated output of $43.5 billion, it is the ninth-largest contributor to India's [[gross domestic product]] as of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title= Visakhapatnam district development plan |url= https://www.eaindustry.nic.in/ddp/Visakhapatnam_DDP_Report_Final.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vizag 9th richest city in country|date= 23 November 2017|url= https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-11-23/Vizag-9th-richest-city-in-country/341023}}</ref>
 
Visakhapatnam's history began in the 6th century BCE, when it was considered part of the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga Kingdom]], and later ruled by the [[Vengi]], the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] and [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] dynasties.<ref name="history3">{{cite web|title=Visakhapatnam District|url=http://visakhapatnam.nic.in/|publisher=Visakhapatnam District|access-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507060423/http://visakhapatnam.nic.in/|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries, with its control alternating between the [[Chola dynasty]] and the [[Gajapati Empire|Gajapati Kingdom]],<ref name="history1">{{cite web|title=Maps of India – Visakhapatnam History|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/visakhapatnam/history.html|publisher=Maps of India|access-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226134337/http://www.mapsofindia.com/visakhapatnam/history.html|archive-date=26 February 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="history2">{{cite web|title=History of Visakhapatnam|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/travel/visakhapatnam/history-of-visakhapatnam.html|publisher=I Love India|access-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518071957/http://www.iloveindia.com/travel/visakhapatnam/history-of-visakhapatnam.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> until its conquest by the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] in the 15th century.<ref name="history3" /> In the 16th century, after the decline of the Vijayanagara empire and the Gajapatis, the coastal region of North Andhra, including Visakhapatnam, was annexed by the [[Kingdom of Jeypore|Jeypore Kingdom]] and remained part of it until the arrival of the British in 1711.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dutt|first=Tara|url=http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Koraput_Gazetteer.pdf|title=Odisha District Gazetteers: Koraput|publisher=Government Press Cuttack|year=2015|location=Cuttack|pages=43}}</ref> Evidently, the Maharaja of Jeypore was commonly referred to as the Maharaja of Visakhapatnam until the dissolution of the princely state in 1947.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore the Royal Collection Online|url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/4/collection/38131/sword-and-scabbard-talwar|access-date=2021-04-23|website=www.rct.uk}}</ref> European powers eventually established trade operations in the city, and by the end of the 18th century it had come under [[French India|French colonial rule]].<ref name="history1" /><ref name="history2" /> Control passed to the [[East India Company]] in 1804 and it remained under [[British Raj|British colonial rule]] until [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence in 1947]].
 
The city is home to some reputed Central and State educational institutions of the state, including [[Andhra University]] (AU), [[Andhra Medical College]] (AMC), [[Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam|Indian Institute of Management]] (IIM), [[Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy]] (IIPE), [[Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University]] (DSNLU), [[Indian Maritime University#Visakhapatnam Campus|Indian Maritime University]] (IMU), and the [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]] among others. Visakhapatnam serves as the headquarters for the [[Indian Navy|Indian Navy's]] [[Eastern Naval Command]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/about-us/basic-organization.html|title=Basic Organization|website=Join Indian Navy|access-date= 28 May 2020}}</ref> The city also serves as the [[Zones and divisions of Indian Railways|zonal headquarters]] of [[South Coast Railway zone|South Coast Railway Zone]] (SCoR). The city is also home to the oldest [[shipyard]] and the only [[Harbor|natural harbour]] on the east coast of India.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gopalakrishnan|first1=Hema|title=A career in Vizag|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-opportunities/a-career-in-vizag/article4072707.ece|access-date=18 May 2015|work=The Hindu|date=7 November 2012}}</ref> [[Visakhapatnam Port]] is the [[List of ports in India|fifth-busiest cargo port]] in India. The city is [[List of tourist attractions in Visakhapatnam district|a major tourist destination]] and is particularly known for its beaches, ancient [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] sites, and the natural beauty of the surrounding [[Eastern Ghats]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ghosh|first1=G. K.|title=Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass|date=2008|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=9788131303696|page=300|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=Visakhapatnam+is+a+major+tourist+destination,+and+is+particularly+known+for+its+beaches.&pg=PA300|access-date=21 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> It is nicknamed as the "City of Destiny" and the "Jewel of the East Coast".<ref name="city of destiny" /> According to the [[Swachh Survekshan]] rankings of 2020, it is the ninth cleanest city in India among cities with a population of more than [[1 million]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=|url=http://www.swachhsurvekshan2020.org/ImpDocs/SS2020fullreport.pdf|access-date=|website=}}</ref>  In 2020, it was a finalist in the Living and Inclusion category of the World Smart City Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Vizag stands third at World Smart City Awards 2020|url=https://www.yovizag.com/vizag-stands-third-at-world-smart-city-awards-2020/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Vizag|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
== Etymology ==
The local belief behind the name of the city states, there was a king of 4th century, who on his pilgrimage halted at Lawson's Bay and built a temple dedicated to [[Vishakha|Vaisakha]], which was submerged under the sea, but the name of the temple was got to the settlement. Other such names are, ''Kulotungapatnam'', named by the Chola King Kulotuna I; ''Ishakapatnam'', based on a Muslim Saint, Syed Ali Madani (Ishak Madani).<ref name="etymology">{{cite news|last1=Hatangadi|first1=Hatangadi|title=Vizag's hidden history|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Vizags-hidden-history/articleshow/51075554.cms|access-date=16 May 2017|work=The Times of India|date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812220832/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Vizags-hidden-history/articleshow/51075554.cms|archive-date=12 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="etymology2">{{cite book|last1=Raju|first1=Rapaka Satya|title=Urban Unorganised Sector in India|publisher=Mittal Publications|page=69|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7fDs9fV3TsC&q=visakhapatnam+shortened+vizag&pg=PA69|access-date=16 May 2017|language=en|year=1989}}</ref> During the [[Company rule in India|East India Company rule in India]], the city was known with the name, ''Vizagapatam''.<ref name="sepoymutiny">{{cite news|title=First Sepoy Mutiny took place in Vizag|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/%E2%80%98First-Sepoy-Mutiny-took-place-in-Vizag%E2%80%99/article15425171.ece|access-date=16 May 2017|work=The Hindu|date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220143449/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/%E2%80%98First-Sepoy-Mutiny-took-place-in-Vizag%E2%80%99/article15425171.ece|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The suburb ''Waltair'' is another such name which was derived from the name the British colonial government used.<ref name="city of destiny" /> "Vizagapatam" could also be spelled ''Visakhapatnam'' in the West European alphabet. The name was popularly shortened to ''Vizag'' and this form was in use right from the earliest days of British colonial rule in the district in the late eighteenth century.<ref name="Fathima">{{cite book|last1=Kapil|first1=Fathima Kutty|title=District Administration and Social Change in India: A Study of Vizagapatnam District, 1794-1898|date=2 October 1989|publisher=Stosius Inc - Advent Books Division|isbn=978-8170271444|edition=2nd}}</ref> It is still referred to as Vizag by locals too, however since [[Indian independence movement|independence]], people have reverted to calling it by its Indian name of Visakhapatnam.<ref name="etymology" />
 
== History ==
{{Main|History of Visakhapatnam}}
 
Visakhapatnam's history stretches back to the 6th century B.C.E. and the city finds mention in ancient texts such as the 4th century B.C.E. writings of [[Pāṇini]] and [[Kātyāyana|Katyayana]]. Historically considered part of the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] region,<ref name="history1" /><ref name="history2" /> it was ruled by the [[Vengi]] kingdom and the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] and [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga]] dynasties during medieval times.<ref name="history3" /> Archaeological records suggest that the present city was built around the 11th and 12th centuries C.E. by the [[Chola dynasty]] king [[Kulottunga I|Kulothunga I]]. Control over the city fluctuated between the [[Chola dynasty]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] and the [[Gajapati Empire|Gajapati Kingdom]] of [[Odisha]]<ref name="history1" /><ref name="history2" /> until its conquest by the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] in the 15th century.<ref name="history3" /> European powers eventually set up trading interests in the city and Visakhapatnam came under [[French India|French]] rule at the end of the 18th century.<ref name="history1" /><ref name="history2" />
 
The city was ruled by the Andhra Kings of Vengi and Pallavas. The city is named after Sri Visakha Varma. Legend has it that [[Radha]] and [[Visakha|Viśakha]] were born on the same day and were equally beautiful. Sri Visakka Sakhi is the second most important [[gopi]] of the eight main gopis. She carries messages between Radha and Krishna and is the most expert gopi messenger. Local residents believe that an Andhra king built a temple to pay homage to his family deity Viśakha. This is now inundated under sea water near R K Beach. Another theory is that it is named after a woman disciple of Buddha named [[Visakha|Viśakha]]. Later it was ruled by [[Qutb Shahi dynasty|Qutb Shahis]] (1571-1674), [[Kingdom of Jeypore]] (1535-1571) & (1674-1711), [[Mughal Empire]] (1711-1724), [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]] (1724–1757) and France (1757–1765) before being captured by the British in 1765. European powers eventually established trading operations in the city and Visakhapatnam came under [[French India|French colonial rule]] at the end of the 18th century.<ref name="history1" /><ref name="history2" />
 
The [[East India Company|British East India Company]] captured Visakhapatnam after the 1804 [[Battle of Vizagapatam]] and it remained under [[British Raj|British colonial rule]] until [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence in 1947]] which was a part of the [[Northern Circars]].
 
=== Buddhist influence ===
 
Hindu texts state that during the fifth century BC, the Visakhapatnam region was part of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] territory, which extended to the [[Godavari River|Godavari river]]. Relics found in the area also prove the existence of a Buddhist empire in the region. Kalinga later lost the territory to [[Ashoka|King Ashoka]] in the bloodiest battle of its time, which prompted Ashoka to embrace [[Buddhism]]. Visakhapatnam is surrounded by ancient Buddhist sites, most of which have been excavated recently and illustrate the legacy of Buddhism in the region.{{Citation needed|date = January 2016}}
 
==== Pavurallakonda ====
[[File:Yaksha Sculpture Relief at Pavurallakonda Buddhist Remnant Site near Bheemunipatnam.jpg|thumb|Yaksha Relief at [[Pavurallakonda]] near [[Bheemunipatnam]]|alt=eramic sculptures of guardian Yakshas]]
[[Pavurallakonda]] ("pigeon hill") is a [[hillock]] west of Bhimli, about {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}} from Visakhapatnam. The Buddhist settlement found here is estimated to date back from the first century BC to the second century AD. On the hillock (which overlooks the coastline) are 16 rock-cut [[cisterns]] for collecting rainwater. Gopalapatnam, on the Tandava River, is a village surrounded by brick stupas, [[vihara]]s, pottery and other Buddhist artefacts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pavuralakonda |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Crying-out-to-be-preserved/articleshow/17607287.cms| work= The Times of India|access-date= 12 December 2012}}</ref>
 
==== Sankaram ====
[[File:Rock-cut Lord --Buddha-- Statue at Bojjanakonda near Anakapalle of Visakhapatnam dist in AP.jpg|thumb|left|Stone seated [[Buddharupa|Buddha]] at [[Bojjannakonda]] near [[Anakapalle]]]]
In 1907 British archaeologist Alexander Rea unearthed Sankaram, a 2,000-year-old Buddhist site. The name "Śankaram" derives from the [[Sangharama]] (temple or monastery). Located {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}} south of Visakhapatnam, it is known locally as [[Bojjannakonda]] 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 monolithic [[stupa]]s, rock-cut caves and brick structures. The primary stupa was initially carved out of rock and covered with bricks. Excavations yielded historic pottery and Satavahana coins from the first century AD. At Lingalakonda, there are also rock-cut monolithic stupas in rows spread over the hill. The vihara was active for about 1,000 years.{{Citation needed|date = January 2016}}
 
Nearby is another Buddhist site, Bojjannakonda, with a number of 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, three [[chaitya]] halls, votive platforms, stupas and [[Vajrayana]] sculptures.{{Citation needed|date = January 2016}}
==== Bavikonda ====
[[File:Bavikonda stupas.JPG|thumb|[[Bavikonda]] stupas|alt=Bavikonda Buddhist Complex]]
 
Bavikonda is an important Buddhist heritage site located on a hill about {{Convert|15|km|abbr=on}}, northeast from Visakhapatnam city. Here the Buddhist habitation is noticed on a 16&nbsp;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 the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]. The word ''Bavikonda'' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] means "a hill of wells". Fitting its name, Bavikonda is a hill with wells for the collection of rainwater. It is located {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}} from Visakhapatnam and is a significant Buddhist site.
 
Excavation carried out from 1982 to 1987 revealed a Buddhist establishment including a mahachaitya embedded with relic caskets,{{Clarify|date=May 2012}} a large vihara complex, numerous votive stupas, a stone-pillared congregation and rectangular halls and a refectory. Artifacts recovered from the site include Roman and [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahana]] coins and pottery dating from the third century BC to the second century AD. 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 the [[Buddha]]. 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 of [[Borobudur]] in Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|title=bavikonda|url=http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/buddhist-sites/bavikonda-andhra-pradesh.html/|publisher=buddhist-tourism.com|access-date=7 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172341/http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countries/india/buddhist-sites/bavikonda-andhra-pradesh.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>
 
==== Thotlakonda ====
[[File:Mahastupa in Thotlakonda, Visakhapatnam (2).jpg|thumbnail|right|Third-century BC Buddhist ruins of [[Thotlakonda|Totlakonda]]|alt=Corner of light-coloured, angular stone ruins]]
About {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}} from Visakhapatnam is [[Thotlakonda]], a [[Buddhist]] complex situated on top of a hill. The Buddhist complex on the Mangamaripeta hilltop, locally known as [[Thotlakonda|Totlakonda]], lies about {{Convert|16|km|abbr=on}} from Visakhapatnam on Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road. After its discovery (during an aerial survey), the Government of Andhra Pradesh declared the 48&nbsp;ha site as a protected monument in 1978. Excavations in 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 {{convert|120|acre|ha|abbr=off}}, 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, sixteen votive [[stupa]]s, a stone-pillared congregation hall, eleven rock-cut cisterns, well-paved stone pathways, an [[Apse|apsidal]] [[chaitya]]-griha, three round chaitgya-grihas, two votive platforms, ten [[vihara]]s and a kitchen complex with three halls and a refectory (dining hall). Apart from the structures, Buddhist treasures excavated include nine [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahana]] and five Roman silver coins, [[terracotta]] tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniature [[stupa]] models in stone, Buddha [[Pada (foot)|padas]] depicted with [[ashtamangala]] symbols (i.e. the eight auspicious symbols of Swastika, Shrivasta, Nandhyavarta, Vardhamanaka, Bhadrasana, Kalasha, Minyugala and Darpan) and early pottery.<ref>{{cite news |title=thotlakonda |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/thotlakonda-as-heritage-tourism-destination/article7329607.ece?ref=slideshow#im-image-3| newspaper= The Hindu|date = 18 June 2015|access-date= 18 June 2015}}</ref>
 
=== Later history ===
 
The territory of Visakhapatnam then came under the Andhra rulers of [[Vengi]], and [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukyas]] and [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]] ruled the land. The region was ruled by the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty|Eastern Ganga king]] and the [[Gajapati Empire|Gajapati kings]] of [[Odisha]] from the 10th century to the 16th centuries AD. Based on archaeological evidence, the [[Prabhakar]] and the Eastern Ganga Kings of Odisha built temples in the city in the 11th and 12th centuries. In the late 16th century, it came under the direct rule of the [[Suryavanshi clan|Suryavanshi]] king, [[Vishwanath Dev Gajapati|Maharaja Vishwanath Dev Gajapati]] of [[Jeypore]]. However, from 1571 to 1674 it fell under the control and administration of the [[Qutb Shahi dynasty|Qutb Shahi]] kings of [[Golconda Fort|Golconda]] who appointed a governor or [[Faujdar]] to collect taxes in the region. This Faujdar governed the area from [[Srikakulam]] 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last1=Senapati|first1=Neelmani|last2=Sahu|first2=Nabin Kumar|date=1966|title=Orissa District Gazetteers: Karaput|url=http://indianculture.gov.in/gazettes/orissa-district-gazetteers-karaput|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=INDIAN CULTURE|publisher=Government of Odisha|page=73|language=en}}</ref> 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 the [[Kingdom of Jeypore]] until the death of Maharaja Ram Chandra Dev I in 1711 after which it was taken over by the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] who could only govern it for a few decades before transferring it to the British.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh Deo|first=Kumar Bidyadhar|title=Nandapur: A Forsaken Kingdom|publisher=Utkal Sahitya Press|year=1971|location=Cuttack|pages=69}}</ref> Even in the colonial era, the kings of Jeypore were referred to as the Maharaja or Raja of Vizagapatam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Indian; India - Sword and scabbard (talwar)|url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/38131/sword-and-scabbard-talwar|access-date=2021-04-25|website=www.rct.uk|language=en}}</ref> European merchants from France, Holland and the [[East India Company]] used the natural port to export tobacco, [[Paddy (unmilled rice)|paddy]], coal, iron ore, ivory, [[muslin]] and other textile products. The British developed Visakhapatnam as a prominent harbour of the east coast. The old port in [[Jalari Peta]] was built and used by the Maharaja of Jeypore who also owned a number of ships. During the [[World War I|First World War]], [[Vikram Dev III|Maharaja Vikram Dev III]] sent his fleet of ships to aid the British and later donated the port to the British government of Madras.<ref name=":1" /> It is now a popular fish market.
 
Local legend tells that an [[Coastal Andhra|Andhra]] king, on his way to [[Varanasi|Benares]], 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).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/07/15/stories/2002071501150200.htm |title=Viśakha traces its name to Buddhist princess |date=15 July 2002 |access-date=24 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030913214905/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/07/15/stories/2002071501150200.htm |archive-date=13 September 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
During the 18th century Visakhapatnam was part of the [[Northern Circars]], a region comprising [[coastal Andhra]] and southern coastal Odisha which was first under French control and later British. Visakhapatnam became a district in the [[Madras Presidency]] of [[British Raj|British India]]. In September 1804, British and French squadrons fought the naval [[Battle of Vizagapatam]] near the harbour. After India's independence it was the largest district in the country and was subsequently divided into the districts of [[Srikakulam]], [[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.
 
[[File:Passage Exercise (PASSEX) during International Fleet Review 2016 (01).JPG|thumb|International Fleet Review 2016]]
On 7 May 2020, the city suffered an industrial accident when a polymer plant leaked toxic [[styrene]] gas, as it restarted operations after the [[COVID-19 lockdown in India|Coronavirus lockdown]]. This [[Visakhapatnam gas leak|gas leak]] killed at least eleven people, and drew comparisons to the [[Bhopal disaster]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gettleman|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|last3=Schultz|first3=Kai|last4=Yasir|first4=Sameer|date=2020-05-07|title=Gas Leak in India at LG Factory Kills 11 and Sickens Hundreds|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/world/asia/india-lg-gas.html|access-date=2020-05-07|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
 
== Geography ==
{{Main|Visakhapatnam geography and environment}}
[[File:Boats in Kondakarla ava 2.jpg|thumb|[[Kondakarla Ava]], a bird sanctuary near Visakhapatnam]]
The city is situated between the [[Eastern Ghats]] and the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name="location" /> The city coordinates lies between 17.7041 N and 83.2977 E.<ref name="geo" /><ref name="climate" />
 
=== Climate ===
Visakhapatnam has a [[tropical savanna climate|tropical wet and dry climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw'').<ref name="climate" /> The annual mean temperatures ranges between {{Convert|24.7|–|30.6|C|F|0|abbr=on}}, with the maximum in the month of May and the minimum in January; the minimum temperatures ranges between {{Convert|20|–|27|C|F|0|abbr=on}}. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded was {{convert|42.0|C|F}} in 1978, and the lowest was {{convert|20.0|C|0}} in 1904. It receives rainfall from the [[Southwest monsoon|South-west]] and [[North-east monsoon]]s<ref name="climate" /> and the average annual rainfall recorded is {{Convert|1118.8|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name= IMD>
{{cite web |url= http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/visakhapatnam2.htm |title= Visakhapatnam Climatological Table Period: 1951–1980 |publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]] |access-date = 25 March 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091431/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/visakhapatnam2.htm |archive-date = 2 April 2015 |url-status = live}}</ref> In October 2014 [[Cyclone Hudhud]] made landfall near Visakhapatnam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29581787|title=Cyclone Hudhud pounds eastern India|date=2014-10-12|access-date=2019-12-24}}</ref>
 
{{Weather box|location = [[Visakhapatnam Airport]] (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2010)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 34.8
| Feb record high C = 38.4
| Mar record high C = 40.0
| Apr record high C = 40.5
| May record high C = 45.0
| Jun record high C = 45.4
| Jul record high C = 41.4
| Aug record high C = 38.8
| Sep record high C = 38.2
| Oct record high C = 37.2
| Nov record high C = 35.0
| Dec record high C = 34.0
|year record high C = 45.4
| Jan high C = 29.5
| Feb high C = 31.6
| Mar high C = 34.2
| Apr high C = 35.4
| May high C = 36.3
| Jun high C = 35.4
| Jul high C = 33.4
| Aug high C = 33.0
| Sep high C = 33.0
| Oct high C = 32.3
| Nov high C = 30.9
| Dec high C = 29.5
|year high C = 32.9
| Jan mean C = 23.8
| Feb mean C = 25.9
| Mar mean C = 28.8
| Apr mean C = 30.7
| May mean C = 31.9
| Jun mean C = 31.5
| Jul mean C = 29.8
| Aug mean C = 29.6
| Sep mean C = 29.4
| Oct mean C = 28.5
| Nov mean C = 26.3
| Dec mean C = 23.9
|year mean C = 28.3
| Jan low C = 18.4
| Feb low C = 20.5
| Mar low C = 23.7
| Apr low C = 26.3
| May low C = 27.8
| Jun low C = 27.8
| Jul low C = 26.7
| Aug low C = 26.3
| Sep low C = 26.1
| Oct low C = 24.9
| Nov low C = 22.0
| Dec low C = 18.8
|year low C = 24.1
| Jan record low C = 10.5
| Feb record low C = 12.8
| Mar record low C = 14.4
| Apr record low C = 18.3
| May record low C = 20.0
| Jun record low C = 21.1
| Jul record low C = 21.3
| Aug record low C = 21.1
| Sep record low C = 17.5
| Oct record low C = 17.6
| Nov record low C = 12.9
| Dec record low C = 11.3
|year record low C = 10.5
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 10.5
| Feb rain mm = 12.1
| Mar rain mm = 11.4
| Apr rain mm = 21.8
| May rain mm = 63.0
| Jun rain mm = 117.6
| Jul rain mm = 130.4
| Aug rain mm = 157.8
| Sep rain mm = 202.1
| Oct rain mm = 209.3
| Nov rain mm = 87.9
| Dec rain mm = 7.9
|year rain mm = 1031.7
| Jan rain days = 0.9
| Feb rain days = 0.9
| Mar rain days = 0.6
| Apr rain days = 1.5
| May rain days = 3.4
| Jun rain days = 6.4
| Jul rain days = 8.8
| Aug rain days = 8.4
| Sep rain days = 9.8
| Oct rain days = 8.1
| Nov rain days = 3.4
| Dec rain days = 0.9
|year rain days = 53.0
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 63
| Feb humidity = 62
| Mar humidity = 63
| Apr humidity = 67
| May humidity = 68
| Jun humidity = 67
| Jul humidity = 71
| Aug humidity = 73
| Sep humidity = 76
| Oct humidity = 73
| Nov humidity = 66
| Dec humidity = 63
|year humidity = 68
| Jan sun = 272.8
| Feb sun = 271.2
| Mar sun = 272.8
| Apr sun = 264.0
| May sun = 251.1
| Jun sun = 135.0
| Jul sun = 130.2
| Aug sun = 133.3
| Sep sun = 168.0
| Oct sun = 229.4
| Nov sun = 228.0
| Dec sun = 269.7
|year sun =
| Jand sun = 8.8
| Febd sun = 9.6
| Mard sun = 8.8
| Aprd sun = 8.8
| Mayd sun = 8.1
| Jund sun = 4.5
| Juld sun = 4.2
| Augd sun = 4.3
| Sepd sun = 5.6
| Octd sun = 7.4
| Novd sun = 7.6
| Decd sun = 8.7
|yeard sun = 7.2
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]] (sun 1971–2000)<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 794–798
| access-date = 17 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M20
| access-date = 17 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDsun>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042602/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Daily%20Normals%20of%20Global%20&%20Diffused%20Radiations%20%201971_2000.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Daily%20Normals%20of%20Global%20&%20Diffused%20Radiations%20%201971_2000.pdf
| title = Table 3 Monthly mean duration of Sun Shine (hours) at different locations in India
| work = Daily Normals of Global & Diffuse Radiation (1971–2000)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M-3
| access-date = 10 February 2020}}</ref>
|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1981–2010)<ref name=TCC>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200229203516/https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=43149
| archive-date = 29 February 2020
| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=43149
| title = Normals Data: Visakhapatnam - India Latitude: 17.72°N Longitude: 83.30°E Height: 3 (m)
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| access-date = 29 February 2020}}</ref>
|date = August 2010}}
 
{{Weather box
| location = Visakhapatnam ([[Dolphin's Nose]]) 1981–2010, extremes 1970–2005)
| metric first= Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan record high C = 30.7
| Feb record high C = 35.0
| Mar record high C = 36.2
| Apr record high C = 36.1
| May record high C = 42.8
| Jun record high C = 39.8
| Jul record high C = 39.8
| Aug record high C = 36.2
| Sep record high C = 36.6
| Oct record high C = 34.5
| Nov record high C = 32.4
| Dec record high C = 31.4
| year record high C = 42.8
| Jan high C = 27.2
| Feb high C = 26.9
| Mar high C = 30.6
| Apr high C = 31.5
| May high C = 32.6
| Jun high C = 32.2
| Jul high C = 30.6
| Aug high C = 30.5
| Sep high C = 30.6
| Oct high C = 30.2
| Nov high C = 28.8
| Dec high C = 27.4
| year high C = 30.1
| Jan low C = 19.8
| Feb low C = 21.4
| Mar low C = 23.5
| Apr low C = 25.0
| May low C = 26.1
| Jun low C = 26.0
| Jul low C = 25.0
| Aug low C = 24.8
| Sep low C = 24.8
| Oct low C = 23.8
| Nov low C = 21.8
| Dec low C = 19.8
| year low C = 23.5
| Jan record low C = 15.6
| Feb record low C = 17.7
| Mar record low C = 17.4
| Apr record low C = 17.9
| May record low C = 18.5
| Jun record low C = 18.4
| Jul record low C = 18.4
| Aug record low C = 19.6
| Sep record low C = 18.8
| Oct record low C = 19.4
| Nov record low C = 16.3
| Dec record low C = 14.1
| year record low C = 14.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 14.3
| Feb rain mm = 28.9
| Mar rain mm = 14.6
| Apr rain mm = 25.0
| May rain mm = 66.0
| Jun rain mm = 107.5
| Jul rain mm = 131.8
| Aug rain mm = 132.6
| Sep rain mm = 161.6
| Oct rain mm = 270.4
| Nov rain mm = 105.1
| Dec rain mm = 3.5
| year rain mm = 1061.2
| Jan rain days = 1.0
| Feb rain days = 1.1
| Mar rain days = 0.4
| Apr rain days = 1.4
| May rain days = 3.4
| Jun rain days = 5.4
| Jul rain days = 7.8
| Aug rain days = 7.4
| Sep rain days = 8.5
| Oct rain days = 8.3
| Nov rain days = 4.0
| Dec rain days = 0.7
| year rain days = 49.3
|time day = 8:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 78
| Feb humidity = 76
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 78
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 79
| Jul humidity = 83
| Aug humidity = 83
| Sep humidity = 82
| Oct humidity = 79
| Nov humidity = 73
| Dec humidity = 72
|year humidity = 76
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals/><ref name=IMDextremes/>
}}
 
== Demographics ==
 
{{As of|2011}} [[census of India]], Visakhapatnam had a population of 1,728,128, of which males were 873,599 and females were 854,529 – a [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] of 978 females per 1000 males. The population density was {{convert|18480|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}. 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 average [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] stood at 81.79% with a total of 1,279,137 literates, of which 688,678 were males and 590,459 were females.<ref name=census>{{cite web|title=District Census Handbook – Visakhapatnam|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2813_PART_B_DCHB_VISAKHAPATNAM.pdf|website=Census of India|access-date=21 December 2015|pages=26–27, 52|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119150115/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2813_PART_B_DCHB_VISAKHAPATNAM.pdf|archive-date=19 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=population>{{cite news|last1=G|first1=Siva|title=Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation polls unlikely this year|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Greater-Visakhapatnam-Municipal-Corporation-polls-unlikely-this-year/articleshow/40865385.cms|access-date=26 August 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902175736/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Greater-Visakhapatnam-Municipal-Corporation-polls-unlikely-this-year/articleshow/40865385.cms|archive-date=2 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It is ranked 122 in the list of fastest-growing cities in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html |title=World's fastest growing urban areas (1) |publisher=City Mayors |access-date=6 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125090345/http://citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The total slum population covers 44.61% of the total population which implies 770,971 people reside in slums.<ref name="census-2011">{{cite news|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/402-visakhapatnam.html|title=Visakhapatnam City Census 2011 data|access-date=18 March 2017|publisher=Census 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625193141/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/402-visakhapatnam.html|archive-date=25 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The population crossed two million mark after expansion of the city limits and stands at 2,035,922.<ref name="civicbody">{{cite web|title=Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs|url=http://www.dtcp.ap.gov.in/webdtcp/pdf/List%20of%20ULBs.pdf|website=Directorate of Town and Country Planning|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808132411/http://www.dtcp.ap.gov.in/webdtcp/pdf/List%20of%20ULBs.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
=== Language and religion ===
{{bar box
|title='''Religions in Visakhapatnam (2011)'''<br /><br />{{small|'''source: '''[http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/402-visakhapatnam.html Visakhapatnam city Census 2011 data]}}
|titlebar=#ddd
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Hinduism|orange|92.32}}
{{bar percent|Islam|green|3.85}}
{{bar percent|Christianity|yellow|3.07}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.76}}
}}
 
{{Pie chart
| thumb  = left
| caption = '''Languages in Visakhapatnam (2011)'''<br /><br />{{small|'''Source: '''[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX Languages in Visakhapatnam - Census 2011 data]}}
| value1  = 92.72
| label1  = Telugu
| color1  = darkblue
| value2  = 2.52
| label2  = Urdu
| color2  = #009000
| value3  = 2.15
| label3  = Hindi
| color3  = #ff9933
| value4  = 1.00
| label4  = Odia
| color4  = yellow
| value5  = 1.61
| label5  = Others
| color5  = grey
}}
 
[[Telugu people|Telugu]] is the official and the most predominantly spoken language by the native speakers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|title=Need to protect Telugu language stressed|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/need-to-protect-telugu-language-stressed/article17345514.ece|access-date=18 May 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|title=Telugu Tirunallu draws to a close|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Telugu-Tirunallu-draws-to-a-close/article16914887.ece|access-date=18 May 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221133830/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Telugu-Tirunallu-draws-to-a-close/article16914887.ece|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Two dialects of [[Telugu language|Telugu]] are spoken by the people, the common dialect and the [[Uttarandhra]] (North Eastern Andhra) dialect. The latter is mainly spoken by the people who originally belong to the districts of [[Vizianagaram]] and [[Srikakulam]].<ref name="Visakhapatnam language">{{cite web|title=Visakhapatnam language|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/visakhapatnam/language.html|website=Maps of India|access-date=28 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722002022/http://www.mapsofindia.com/visakhapatnam/language.html|archive-date=22 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A cosmopolitan population of Visakhapatnam comprises Tamils,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/celebration-time-for-tamilians/article5908409.ece/articleshow/19300060.cms |title=Celebration time for Tamilians|work=The Hindu|access-date=13 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author= Rani Devalla|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/blend-of-tradition-and-creativity/article7787126.ece |title=Blend of tradition and creativity|work=The Hindu|date=21 October 2015 |access-date=21 October 2015}}</ref> Malayalis,<ref>{{cite news|author=Rani Devalla|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/malayalis-feel-at-home-in-vizag/article5140356.ece|title=Malayalis feel at home in Vizag|work=The Hindu|date=18 September 2013|access-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927110858/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/malayalis-feel-at-home-in-vizag/article5140356.ece|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author= B.Madhugopal|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/malayalees-seek-direct-daily-train-to-mangalore/article7960594.ece |title=Malayalees seek direct daily train to Mangalore|work=The Hindu|date=8 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Sindhis,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rani Devalla|title=Sindhis make merry|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/sindhis-make-merry/article6580788.ece|access-date=7 May 2016|agency=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 November 2014}}</ref> Kannadigas,<ref>{{cite web|author=Sulogna Mehta|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Kannadigas-make-a-mark-by-displaying-their-rich-tradition/articleshow/19300060.cms|title=Kannadigas make a mark by displaying their rich tradition|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529062453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Kannadigas-make-a-mark-by-displaying-their-rich-tradition/articleshow/19300060.cms|archive-date=29 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Rani Devalla|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/kannadigas-in-celebration-mode/article6605466.ece|title=Kannadigas in celebration mode|work=The Times of India|date=17 November 2014|access-date=17 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127165331/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/kannadigas-in-celebration-mode/article6605466.ece|archive-date=27 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Odias]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/get-set-to-savour-odia-delicacies/article7051860.ece |title=Get set to savour Odia delicacies |work=The Hindu|date=2015-03-31 |access-date=2017-03-12}}</ref> Bengalis and Bihari migrants from other regions of India.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sulogna Mehta|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Cosmo-Vizag-celebrates-Shivaratri/articleshow/31123165.cms|title=Cosmo Vizag celebrates Shivaratri|work=The Times of India|access-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117134416/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Cosmo-Vizag-celebrates-Shivaratri/articleshow/31123165.cms|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1500 cultural associations of Vizag|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-cultural-hub/article3664083.ece/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506190654/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-cultural-hub/article3664083.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> There is also an Anglo-Indian community, regarded as the first cosmopolitans of the city.<ref name="angloindian">{{cite news|title=Anglo Indians: Vizag's first cosmopolitans - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Anglo-Indians-Vizags-first-cosmopolitans/articleshow/47808442.cms|access-date=18 May 2017|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529075539/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Anglo-Indians-Vizags-first-cosmopolitans/articleshow/47808442.cms|archive-date=29 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
According to 2011 census, Telugu is the most spoken language in the city, with 92.72% speakers, followed by [[Urdu]] (2.52%), [[Hindi]] (2.15%), [[Odia language|Odia]] (1.00%), [[Tamil language|Tamil]] (0.33%), [[Malayalam]] (0.32%), and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] (0.31%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX|title=Languages in Visakhapatnam - Census 2011}}</ref>
 
[[Hinduism]] is practised by the majority of its citizens, followed by Islam and Christianity. The area practised [[Buddhism]] in the ancient past, as evidenced by the many Buddhist [[sangharama]]s 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/district/130-visakhapatnam.html |title=Visakhapatnam Religion Census 2011 |publisher=Census2011.co.in |access-date=2017-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101102152/http://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/district/130-visakhapatnam.html |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
== Administration ==
{{Main|Administration of Visakhapatnam}}
 
[[Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation]] (GVMC) is the civic body that oversees the civic needs of the city.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vizag civic body to study erosion; big plan to nourish beach|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/travel/150716/vizag-civic-body-to-study-erosion-big-plan-to-nourish-beach.html|access-date=18 May 2017|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821011958/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/travel/150716/vizag-civic-body-to-study-erosion-big-plan-to-nourish-beach.html|archive-date=21 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>  One of the earliest municipalities in this area, the Vizag (Visakhapatnam) Municipality was set up in 1858 to fulfil 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.<ref name="gvmc">{{cite web|title=About Vizag Corporation|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/Index.htm|website=Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation|access-date=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512070511/http://gvmc.gov.in/gvmc/index.php/layout/introduction|archive-date=12 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
It has a jurisdictional area of {{Convert|681.96|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}, which includes the merged municipalities of Gajuwaka, [[Anakapalle]] and [[Bheemunipatnam]].<ref name="civicbody" /><ref name="thehinducivic">{{cite news|title=GOs issued on merger of two civic bodies, 10 panchayats|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/gos-issued-on-merger-of-two-civic-bodies-10-panchayats/article4972926.ece|access-date=15 February 2016|work=The Hindu|date=31 July 2013|location=Visakhapatnam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111063519/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/gos-issued-on-merger-of-two-civic-bodies-10-panchayats/article4972926.ece|archive-date=11 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Although as per the 2011 census, it is {{cvt|513.61|km2}} mentioned in the district town amenities hand book of Andhra Pradesh, portraying a rise in area covered by the municipal corporation in these years<ref>{{Cite web|title=GVMC Website|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/static_content/Introduction.jsp}}</ref>
 
The municipal corporation of Vishakapatnam is governed by three acts. First is the State Municipal Act, the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act 1965, Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations 1994 Act, as well as an act specific to Vishakapatnam Municipal Corporation Act 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Municipal Corporations Act, 1994|url=http://www.bareactslive.com/AP/ap399.htm|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.bareactslive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act 1979|url=http://www.bareactslive.com/AP/ap621.htm#:~:text=An%20act%20to%20provide%20for,1.&text=-%20(1)%20This%20Act%20may,Visakhapatnam%20Municipal%20Corporation%20Act,%201979.|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.bareactslive.com}}</ref>
 
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GVMC|url=https://visakhapatnam.cdma.ap.gov.in/en/key-contacts}}</ref>
 
=== 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.<ref name="The Economic Times">{{Cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh municipal polls: TDP wins big in Seemandhra, Congress bags most seats in Telangana|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/andhra-pradesh-municipal-polls-tdp-wins-big-in-seemandhra-congress-bags-most-seats-in-telangana/articleshow/35035737.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst|access-date=2020-10-22}}</ref> The results of the latest municipal elections for 145 municipalities and 10 municipal corporations across Andhra Pradesh were held on March 30 and the results were announced on Monday. Of the 92 municipalities in Seemandhra, TDP won 65 municipalities and YSR Congress nineteen. Of the seven municipal corporations, TDP bagged five and YSR Congress two.<ref name="The Economic Times"/>
 
The City governance structure of GVMC consists of an elected wing headed by the Mayor and administrative wing headed by the Administrative Commissioner,&nbsp; 4 Additional commissioners, and 8 zonal commissioners. Mayor elections were planned to be carried out in the month of March, 2020 but details are yet to be declared.<ref name="The Economic Times"/> The present municipal commissioner of the city is G Srijana. The municipal commissioner looks after the administration of the municipal corporation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Municipal Commissioner|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/thirdlevel.htm}}</ref>
 
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GVMC functions|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/#.htm}}</ref>
 
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Key Committees|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/static_content/Elected%20Wing.jsp}}</ref>
 
=== Municipal budget ===
The GVMC estimated a budget of {{INRConvert|4171|c|lk=on|year=2020}} for the financial year 2020–21. It shows an increase of {{INRConvert|337|c|year=2019}} compared to the last budget for 2019–20.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 May 2020|title=GVMC's budget for 2020-21 fiscal pegged at Rs 4,171 crore|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/gvmcs-budget-for-2020-21-fiscal-pegged-at-rs-4171-crore/articleshow/75903876.cms|url-status=live|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028185734/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/gvmcs-budget-for-2020-21-fiscal-pegged-at-rs-4171-crore/articleshow/75903876.cms|archive-date=28 October 2020}}</ref> The Revenue Department of GVMC generates its revenue by levying of Property Tax, Vacant Land Tax and it is collection and dealing with Remunerative Enterprises, Water Charges etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GVMC Budget|url=https://www.gvmc.gov.in/wss/thirdlevel.htm}}</ref>
 
=== Masterplan ===
In 2019, the Planning wing of the Visakhapatnam 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, broad structure plan, and implementation plan.<ref name=":0" />
 
The 'master plan' proposes 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=27 November 2019|title=Masterplan-2051: Urban body starts work on 30-yr road map|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/masterplan-2051-urban-body-starts-work-on-30-yr-road-map/articleshow/72248206.cms|url-status=live|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108003322/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/masterplan-2051-urban-body-starts-work-on-30-yr-road-map/articleshow/72248206.cms|archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref>
 
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 Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC).<ref name=":0" />
 
=== District Administration ===
The district area is {{cvt|11161|km2}}. The Sub-Division is divided into Mandals. Visakhapatnam District Consists of 43 mandals, each headed by a Tahsildar.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mandals {{!}} Visakhapatnam District, Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} India|url=https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/mandals/|access-date=2020-10-29|language=en-US}}</ref> It also has one Municipal Corporation and two Municipalities. There are four revenue divisions in the district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visakhapatnam District, Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} The City of Destiny... {{!}} India|url=https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/|access-date=2020-10-29|language=en-US}}</ref> A Revenue division is headed by Revenue Divisional Officer in the rank  of Sub–Collector in the cadre of [[Indian Administrative Service|I.A.S.]] or a Deputy Collector. He is the Sub Divisional Magistrate having jurisdiction over his division.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revenue Division {{!}} Visakhapatnam District, Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} India|url=https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/revenue-division/|access-date=2020-10-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
=== Law and order ===
Law and order in the city is dealt by [[Visakhapatnam City Police]], equipped with a Police Commissionerate with Commissioner of Police as the head and with assisted by three [[Deputy Commissioner of Police (India)|deputy commissioners]] for different zones.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Website of Visakhapatnam Police|url=http://vizagcitypolice.gov.in/VSPAboutUs.html#|website=vizagcitypolice.gov.in|access-date=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516105931/http://vizagcitypolice.gov.in/VSPAboutUs.html|archive-date=16 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The current City Police Commissioner is Mr. Manish Kumar Sinha.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gilai|first=Harish|date=2020-10-09|title=Police to issue licence for temporary cracker shops|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/police-to-issue-licence-for-temporary-cracker-shops/article32807715.ece|access-date=2020-10-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[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.<ref name="area">{{cite web|title=Key Facts on VMR|url=http://www.vuda.gov.in/pdf/rfp%20for%20area%20development%20plans%2017-9-2015%20FINAL.pdf|website=Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority|access-date=15 February 2016|pages=44–45|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013742/http://www.vuda.gov.in/pdf/rfp%20for%20area%20development%20plans%2017-9-2015%20FINAL.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="thehinducivic" /> The expanded area of the city, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region extends to {{Convert|4873|km2|abbr=on}} with a population of [[Indian numbering system|50,18,000]] (Western: 5,018,000) and is under the administration of [[Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Upgradation of VMRDA|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/vizag-to-get-bigger-adds-1200-sq-km/articleshow/65253498.cms|access-date=21 December 2018|work=The Times of India|date=13 August 2018|location=Visakhapatnam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914111503/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/vizag-to-get-bigger-adds-1200-sq-km/articleshow/65253498.cms|archive-date=14 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=VMRDA loses 1,628 sq.km to new urban development body|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/vmrda-loses-1628-sq-km-to-new-urban-development-body/articleshow/67966181.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 February 2019|location=Visakhapatnam}}</ref><ref name="metro" />
 
The District & Sessions Court are located in Vishakapatnam city and it also includes family courts.
 
=== Legislative Assembly ===
{{Cleanup section|reason=the information provided seems outdated and unorganised|date=March 2021}}
The city has eight assembly constituencies in its limits. In the legislative elections Mr. M Srinivasa Rao of YSRCP was elected to the assembly from Bhimli constituency<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=https://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_const_id=20&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_mem_id=1913&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_term_id=15&p_auth=Xel3BrzE}}</ref>  Mr. Ganesh Kumar of TDP was elected to the Assembly from Visakhapatnam South<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=http://aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_auth=tdMelna9&p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_const_id=22&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_mem_id=3109&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_term_id=15|access-date=2020-10-22|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref> segment in 2014 and 2019 polls.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TDP MLA backs Jagan, sons join YSRC|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/sep/20/tdp-mla-backs-jagan-sons-join-ysrc-2199409.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> For Vizag East Mr. Ramakrishna Babu Velgapudi was elected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=http://aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_auth=tdMelna9&p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_const_id=21&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_mem_id=1543&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_term_id=15|access-date=2020-10-22|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref> For Vizag; Vizag North Ganta Srinivasa Rao and for Vizag west P.G.V.R Naidu was elected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=http://aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_auth=tdMelna9&p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_const_id=23&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_mem_id=1909&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_term_id=15|access-date=2020-10-22|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=http://aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_auth=tdMelna9&p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_const_id=24&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_mem_id=601&_AssemblyMemberInformation_WAR_APMainPortletportlet_term_id=15|access-date=2020-10-22|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref> For Gajuwaka Mr. T Nagireddy was elected;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=https://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_const_id=25&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_mem_id=3420&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_term_id=15&p_auth=evKt05HF|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref> for Pendurthi Mr. A Adeep Raj was elected<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=https://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_const_id=31&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_mem_id=3424&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_term_id=15&p_auth=evKt05HF|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref> and for Anakapalle constituency Mr. G Amarnath was elected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Information|url=https://www.aplegislature.org/web/legislative-assembly/member-s-information?p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_const_id=30&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_mem_id=3423&_AssemblyMemberInformation_APPortlet_INSTANCE_K9JpxGLMtsWV_term_id=15&p_auth=evKt05HF|website=aplegislature.org}}</ref>  Out of these eight constituencies Anakapalli and Pendurthi fall under Anakapalli Lok Sabha Constituency. The current Lok Sabha Elective Vishakhapatnam is Mr. M. V. V. Satyanarayana.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2020-10-10|title=Botcha inspects sewage treatment plant works|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/botcha-inspects-sewage-treatment-plant-works/article32817130.ece|access-date=2020-10-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Members : Lok Sabha|url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/StateDetail.aspx?state_code=Andhra+Pradesh|access-date=2020-10-22|website=loksabhaph.nic.in}}</ref> While four MLAs are from the TDP party,remaining four are from the YSRCP. The incumbent MP is from YSRCP.
 
== Civic utilities ==
The [[Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited]] (APEPDCL) supplies power to the city of Visakhapatnam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electricity {{!}} Visakhapatnam District, Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} India|url=https://visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/public-utility-category/electricity/|access-date=2020-10-22|language=en-US}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite web|title=AP Fire Services {{!}} Manpower - Deputation other Organisations|url=http://fireservices.ap.gov.in/apfire/Fire/fire_contact_distofficer|access-date=2020-10-22|website=fireservices.ap.gov.in}}</ref>
 
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. There are 35 reservoirs serving the different segments of the system. Domestic water supply is mainly through public taps and house service connections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vizag water|url=https://www.issuelab.org/resources/23883/23883.pdf}}</ref>
 
There are about 2072 bore wells as ground water sources. As per a report from 2015, "GVMC relies mostly on surface water for its raw water supply and serves 54.9 percent of the city through household-level piped connections. There is a supply gap of almost 66 million liters per day (MLD)<ref>{{Cite web|title=VizagCityOnline.com - The Water You Drink|url=https://www.vizagcityonline.com/Water.html#:~:text=The%20principal%20source%20of%20water,70%20kms%20from%20the%20city.&text=This%20is%20the%20first%20protected,and%20was%20constructed%20in%201902.|access-date=2020-10-22|website=www.vizagcityonline.com}}</ref>
 
{{As of|2019}}, only 50 per cent of the city has access to underground drainage. This is after the city grew over the last decade and Bheemili and Anakapalli 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 {{INRConvert|10|c|year=2019}}. 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 at Venkata Puram and Vimannagar and its vicinity.<ref name="Nov 13">{{Cite news|date=13 November 2019|title=New underground drainage project to cover 8,000 homes|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/new-underground-drainage-project-to-cover-8000-homes/articleshow/72029350.cms|url-status=live|access-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331180711/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/new-underground-drainage-project-to-cover-8000-homes/articleshow/72029350.cms|archive-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>
 
In the year 2015, the municipal corporation generated 920 tons of waste per day. Waste generated from all the wards is disposed at the dumpsite in Kapuluppada since 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SAC|url=http://www.sac.ap.gov.in/Sac/UserInterface/Downlaods/MSWMReports/Vizag%20DPR-1.pdf}}</ref>
 
== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Visakhapatnam}}
 
[[File:Vizag Steel.jpg|thumb|[[Visakhapatnam Steel Plant|Vizag steel plant]] entrance]]
 
Visakhapatnam is one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the world,<ref>{{cite news|title=11 Indian cities among world's fastest growing - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/11-Indian-cities-among-worlds-fastest-growing/articleshow/2481744.cms?referral=PM|access-date=19 May 2017|work=The Times of India|date=23 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012102035/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/11-Indian-cities-among-worlds-fastest-growing/articleshow/2481744.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> which has a [[GDP]] of $43.5&nbsp;billion. It is the 9th richest city in India. The usual [[seafood]] exporting capacity of the harbour is {{convert|115000|tonne|ST|lk=in}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour to get modern market amenities|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/sep/05/Visakhapatnam-Fishing-Harbour-to-get-modern-market-amenities-1516278.html|access-date=19 May 2017|work=The New Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515164309/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/sep/05/Visakhapatnam-Fishing-Harbour-to-get-modern-market-amenities-1516278.html|archive-date=15 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and during the [[Financial Year|FY]] 2015, it topped seafood exports in terms of value among other ports.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kumar|first1=V Sajeev|title=Vizag port tops in seafood exports in terms of value|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/vizag-port-tops-in-seafood-exports-in-terms-of-value/article7383050.ece|access-date=19 May 2017|work=Business Line|date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122051729/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/vizag-port-tops-in-seafood-exports-in-terms-of-value/article7383050.ece|archive-date=22 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Visakhapatnam Port]] and [[Gangavaram Port]] are the two ports of the city and the former one topped charts which handled {{convert|60000000|tonne|ST}} of cargo during the financial year 2016–17.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sarma|first1=Ch. R. S|title=Vizag port cargo handling crosses 60-million tonne mark again|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/vizag-port-cargo-handling-crosses-60million-tonne-mark-again/article9610192.ece|access-date=19 May 2017|work=Business Line|date=31 March 2017}}</ref> The [[Hindustan Shipyard]] undertakes building and repairing of [[Naval fleet]].<ref>{{cite news|title=On national security interests, Govt moves Hindustan Shipyard to Defence ministry - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/On-national-security-interests-Govt-moves-Hindustan-Shipyard-to-Defence-ministry/articleshow/5373703.cms?referral=PM|access-date=19 May 2017|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151348/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/On-national-security-interests-Govt-moves-Hindustan-Shipyard-to-Defence-ministry/articleshow/5373703.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
=== Information technology ===
The growth in the IT sector in the recent times boosting the local economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=IT Industry in Vizag |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/it-industry-at-takeoff-point-in-vizag/article2389513.ece| work=The Hindu|access-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> In 2016–17, the [[Information technology|IT industry]] in Visakhapatnam witnessed an increase in its turnover which recorded as {{INRConvert|54|b|abbr=on}} with more than 350 firms,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/it-secretary-unveils-big-plans-for-vizag/article17446306.ece|title=IT Secretary unveils big plans for Vizag|last=Patnaik|first=Santosh|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-16}}</ref> in contrast to 2013–14 figures of {{INRConvert|1450|c|year=2013}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Next two-year crucial for Vizag sector - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Next-two-year-crucial-for-Vizag-sector/articleshow/47762772.cms|access-date=19 May 2017|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127114734/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Next-two-year-crucial-for-Vizag-sector/articleshow/47762772.cms|archive-date=27 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Startup Village|Sunrise Startup Village]]'', an incubation centre<ref>{{cite news|title=Starup village in Vizag|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/turn-entrepreneurs-naidu-urges-students/article6458742.ece|work=The Hindu|date=30 September 2014|access-date=30 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201225118/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/turn-entrepreneurs-naidu-urges-students/article6458742.ece|archive-date=1 December 2014|url-status=live|last1=Subrahmanyam|first1=G. S.}}</ref> and [[Fintech Valley Vizag]] were established to promote the city as a global [[Financial technology|fintech]] capital in the Andhra Pradesh state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20181119-andhra-pradesh-the-making-of-a-tech-hub-1384536-2018-11-09|title=Andhra Pradesh: The Making of a Tech Hub|website=India Today|access-date=2020-01-08|last3=November 9|first3=2018UPDATED|last4=Ist|first4=2018 14:53}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vizagfintechfestival.com/|title=vizagfintech}}</ref> [[Millennium IT Towers]] 1 is inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]] on 15 February 2019 and [[Millennium IT Towers]] 2 is in pipeline to promote fintech investments in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visakhapatnamsmartcity.com/projects.html|title=Projects|last=ColorsThemes|website=visakhapatnamsmartcity.com|access-date=2018-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911191505/https://www.visakhapatnamsmartcity.com/projects.html|archive-date=11 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
There are many national and multi–national IT/ITes and fintech firms such as [[IBM]], [[Wipro]], [[Tech Mahindra]], [[Kenexa]], Infotech, [[Conduent]], [[Cyient]], [[Paytm]], [[Concentrix]], [[Sutherland]], [[HSBC]], etc. Some more investments are in line, like [[Google x]], Lalith Ahuja's [[ANSR Consulting]], [[Franklin Templeton Investments|Franklin Templeton]], Innova Solutions, etc. at [[Fintech Valley Vizag|Fintech Valley]] in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/franklin-templeton-innova-solutions-to-open-campus-in-city/article22354833.ece|title=Franklin Templeton, Innova Solutions to open campus in city|last=Patnaik|first=Santosh|date=2018-01-03|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-11|issn=0971-751X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118062920/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/franklin-templeton-innova-solutions-to-open-campus-in-city/article22354833.ece|archive-date=18 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/construction/lalith-ahujas-ansr-to-set-up-rs-1000-crore-fintech-facility-at-vizag/articleshow/61026348.cms|title=Lalith Ahuja's ANSR to set up Rs 1,000 crore fintech facility at Vizag|date=2017-10-10|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011130527/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/construction/lalith-ahujas-ansr-to-set-up-rs-1000-crore-fintech-facility-at-vizag/articleshow/61026348.cms|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Brandix India Apparel City'' is the largest textile park in the country and holds the record for employing more than 15,000 women employees at a single location.<ref>{{cite news|title=Textile Commissioner all praise for Brandix Park|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-12-30/Textile-Commissioner-all--praise-for-Brandix-Park/271126|access-date=19 May 2017|work=The Hans India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530094118/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-12-30/Textile-Commissioner-all--praise-for-Brandix-Park/271126|archive-date=30 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
=== Pharma Industries ===
The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) developed at Parawada near Visakhapatnam in {{Convert|2400|acre|km2|abbr=on}} has major [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharma]] companies like, [[Hospira]], [[Mylan]], [[Eisai (company)|Eisai]], [[Dr. Reddy's Laboratories|Reddy's Lab]], [[Aurobindo Pharma]], [[Torrent Pharmaceuticals|Torrent pharma]], Divis Lab, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=87846&sid=1|title=USIBC to invest $5 billion in AP's pharma & healthcare sector|website=pharmabiz.com|access-date=2016-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223135837/http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=87846&sid=1|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ramky.com/jnpc/|title=Jawaharlal Nehru Pharmacity|website=ramky.com|access-date=2016-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230105852/http://ramky.com/jnpc/|archive-date=30 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tutorialwatch.in/top-pharmaceutical-companies-vizag/|title=Top 20 Pharmaceutical Companies in Vizag – Best Pharma Companies|newspaper=TutorialWatch|access-date=2016-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223201114/http://www.tutorialwatch.in/top-pharmaceutical-companies-vizag/|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone Limited]], is the India's first Ultra Modern Medical Equipment Manufacturing & Testing Facility, open to Manufacturers & Innovators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amtz.in/index.html|title=AMTZ.IN|website=amtz.in|access-date=2016-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223132808/http://www.amtz.in/index.html|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
The prevalence of [[ferroalloy]] 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bayya|first=Venkatesh|date=18 January 2014|title=Here's the refinery, where's the bauxite?|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Heres-the-refinery-wheres-the-bauxite/articleshow/28983130.cms|access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> Visakhapatnam is a part of the ''Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR)'', proposed between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. The PCPIR is expected to generate 1.2&nbsp;million jobs and require a projected investment of {{INRConvert|400|b}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hpcl plans huge investment |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/hpcl-plans-huge-investment-in-ap/article6813514.ece| work= The Hindu|date=23 January 2015|access-date= 23 January 2015|last1=Patnaik|first1=Santosh}}</ref> [[Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station]] of [[NTPC Limited]] is expanding from 1,000 to 2,000&nbsp;MW at a cost of {{INRConvert|50|b|0|nolink=yes}}.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} Hindujas has begun construction of a 1,070&nbsp;MW thermal power plant in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of {{INRConvert|70|b|0|nolink=yes}}.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} NTPC is establishing 4×1,000&nbsp;MW imported coal-based thermal power plant in Visakhapatnam district, which requires an investment of {{INRConvert|20000|c|year=2015}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=NTPC simhadri mulling expansion|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/ntpc-simhadri-mulling-expansion/article7024215.ece| work=The Hindu|date=23 March 2015|access-date= 19 April 2015|last1=Patnaik|first1=Santosh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NTPC-invites-tenders-for-4000-mw-power-plants-in-vizag|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-ntpc-invites-tenders-for-4000-mw-power-plants-in-vizag-2071845|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326235739/http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-ntpc-invites-tenders-for-4000-mw-power-plants-in-vizag-2071845|archive-date=26 March 2015|access-date=25 March 2015|work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news|title=hinduja plant-in-vizag|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hinduja-likely-to-delay-vizag-power-plant-operations-114110301424_1.html|work=Business Standard|date=3 November 2014|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103222114/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hinduja-likely-to-delay-vizag-power-plant-operations-114110301424_1.html|archive-date=3 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Cityscape ==
{{wide image|Vizag View from Kailasagiri.jpg|300px|Visakhapatanam city skyline as seen from [[Kailasagiri]]|alt=Visakhapatanam city skyline}}
[[File:INS Kursura (S20).jpg|thumbnail|[[INS Kursura]] (S20)]]
[[File:Beautiful view of Visakhapatnam and Bay of Bengal from Tenneti park 1.jpg|thumb|City scape from beach road near Tenneti park]]
 
=== Neighbourhoods ===
{{See also|List of neighbourhoods in Visakhapatnam}}
Over the years, Visakhapatnam has turned from a fishing village into a commercial city with busy streets. Most notable areas of the city include urban areas like [[Allipuram]], [[Arilova]], [[Asilmetta]], [[Dwaraka Nagar]], [[Gajuwaka]], [[Gopalapatnam]], [[Jagadamba Centre]], [[Lawsons Bay Colony]], [[Maddilapalem]], [[Madhurawada]], [[MVP Colony]], [[Rushikonda]], [[Seethammadhara]], [[Siripuram, Visakhapatnam|Siripuram]] and semi-rural suburbs such as [[Anakapalle]], [[Bheemunipatnam]], [[Duvvada]], [[Parawada]], [[Pendurthi]] and [[Thagarapuvalasa]] .
 
=== Landmarks ===
 
Visakhapatnam is one of the main tourism destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is famous for beaches, caves and the Eastern Ghats as well as wildlife sanctuaries. About 30% of the city is covered with greenery.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nichenametla|first=Prasad|date=21 October 2014|title=In pics: Hudhud takes the green sheen off Vizag|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-hudhud-takes-the-green-sheen-off-vizag/story-EVRN3Ti9RvewyzJl1P6jjI.html|url-status=live|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128030442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-pics-hudhud-takes-the-green-sheen-off-vizag/story-EVRN3Ti9RvewyzJl1P6jjI.html|archive-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>
 
Major landmarks in the city include [[Dolphin's Nose]], [[lighthouse]], [[Kailasagiri]], [[Beach Road, Visakhapatnam|Beach Road]], [[NTR VMRDA Park|VMRDA Park]], [[Visakha Museum]] and Matsyadarsini (an aquarium). The [[INS Kursura (S20)|INS Kursura Submarine Museum]] and Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft [[TU 142 Aircraft Museum]] opposite to each other is the only one of its kind in the world,{{Failed verification|date=April 2021}} conceptualising the hunted and hunter of the wars.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 October 2017|title=Aircraft Museum To Be Major Tourist Attraction in Vizag: Government|url=https://businessworld.in/article/Aircraft-Museum-To-Be-Major-Tourist-Attraction-In-Vizag-Government/18-10-2017-128949/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220946/http://businessworld.in/article/Aircraft-Museum-To-Be-Major-Tourist-Attraction-In-Vizag-Government/18-10-2017-128949/|archive-date=19 October 2017|access-date=1 April 2021|website=BW BusinessWorld}}</ref> [[Indira Gandhi Zoological Park]] in the city has variety of wildlife species. [[Erra Matti Dibbalu]] ([[Dune|Red sand dunes]]) are situated between Visakhapatnam and [[Bheemunipatnam]] are one of the [[Geoheritage|geo-heritage]] sites in the country. This tourist spot is now protected and preserved as a heritage site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scenic Erra Matti Dibbalu Now Declared a Geo heritage Site |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Vizag%E2%80%99s-Scenic-Erra-Matti-Dibbalu-Now-Declared-a-Geo-heritage-Site/2014/07/24/article2346408.ece/ |work=The New Indian Express|access-date=24 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122090258/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Vizag%E2%80%99s-Scenic-Erra-Matti-Dibbalu-Now-Declared-a-Geo-heritage-Site/2014/07/24/article2346408.ece |archive-date=22 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Dr. Ramanaidu Film Studio in 33 acres space off the Visakha-Bhimili beach road is one of the film shootings destination.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} [[Telugu Samskruthika Niketanam]] on atop Kailasagiri was developed by World Telugu Federation and Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority,<ref>{{cite web|title=CM to open Telugu Heritage Museum|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/cm-to-open-telugu-heritage-museum/article7893807.ece/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310222923/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/cm-to-open-telugu-heritage-museum/article7893807.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2020|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-08-25/Vizag-to-have-Indias-tallest-musical-fountain/250478 |title=Vizag to have India's tallest musical fountain |publisher=Thehansindia.com |date=2016-08-25 |access-date=2017-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024023628/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-08-25/Vizag-to-have-Indias-tallest-musical-fountain/250478 |archive-date=24 October 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Central Park to have 'iconic' fountain|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/central-park-to-have-iconic-fountain/article8024566.ece/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506121418/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/central-park-to-have-iconic-fountain/article8024566.ece|archive-date=6 May 2020|access-date=24 December 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
 
Beaches along the coastline of the Bay of Bengal include [[RK Beach]], [[Rushikonda Beach]] and [[Mangamaripeta]] Beach. Others are [[Yarada Beach|Yarada]], [[Bheemili Beach|Bheemili]], Lawson's Bay, Tenneti, [[Sagar Nagar]], Thotlakonda and Gangavaram beaches.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gilai|first1=Harish|title=Vizag Beaches Among Most Dangerous in World, Here's Why|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Vizag-Beaches-Among-Most-Dangerous-in-World-Heres-Why/2015/07/27/article2942716.ece|access-date=15 February 2016|work=The New Indian Express|date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227115103/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Vizag-Beaches-Among-Most-Dangerous-in-World-Heres-Why/2015/07/27/article2942716.ece|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Borra Caves]] are caves discovered by British geologist [[William King (geologist)|William King]] in 1807.<ref name="city_of_destiny 2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfQGAgAAQBAJ&q=which+were+discovered+by+British+geologist+William+King+in+1807.&pg=PA57|title=Visakhapatnam-The City of Destiny-India|isbn=9781257065103|last1=Academy|first1=Students'}}</ref> ''Tyda'' (an Eco tourism project), [[Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary]] under [[Andhra Pradesh Forest Department]] are wildlife conservation sites near the city.<ref name="aptdc">{{cite web|title=Vizag city tourism|url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/vizag.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630033556/http://www.aptdc.gov.in/vizag.html|archive-date=30 June 2014|access-date=28 May 2014|publisher=AP Tourism Department}}</ref>
 
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Visakhapatnam}}
[[File:Love Vizag near TUV aircraft museum.jpg|thumb|Love Vizag near TUV Aircraft Museum]]
[[File:Simhachalam-temple-2 big.jpg|thumbnail|right|Simhachalam Temple]]
 
===Poets===
Some of the notable poets from the city include [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]], [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]], [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]].
 
===Religious sites===
 
Some of the religious sites are also of great importance like ''[[Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam|Simhachalam]]'' temple of Lord [[Narasimha]] {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}} north of the city,<ref>{{cite web|title=History of temple|url=http://www.simhachalam.com/history/|publisher=simhachalam|access-date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104224702/http://www.simhachalam.com/history/|archive-date=4 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Simhachalam temple|url=http://simhachalamdevasthanam.net/|publisher=simhachalam|access-date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423080923/http://simhachalamdevasthanam.net/|archive-date=23 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple|Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple]]. Recent archaeological excavations of Buddhist shrines revealed Buddhist dominance in this area and these are recognised as heritage sites that include Boudharamam, Saligudam, Sankaram and Devipuram etc.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
 
== Transport ==
{{Main|Transport in Visakhapatnam}}
[[File:Visakhapatnam Highway Service.jpg|thumb|left|Visakhapatnam Metro Express Highway Service at Kurmanapalem]]
[[File:Visakhapatnam railway station.jpg|thumb|Visakhapatnam railway station]]
 
The city commuters prefer city buses and [[auto rickshaw]]s as the primary mode of transport, followed by two-wheelers and cars.<ref name="transport">{{cite web|title=NMT city specific plan for Visakhapatnam|url=http://moud.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/NMTVisakhapatnamCSPFINAL.pdf|website=Vijayawada Municipal Corporation|access-date=18 April 2017|page=23}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Road and rail are preferred for long-distance commuting and are supported by [[Dwaraka bus station]] and [[Visakhapatnam railway station]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dasara rush starts at rail, bus stations - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Dasara-rush-starts-at-rail-bus-stations/articleshow/43576185.cms|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228193001/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Dasara-rush-starts-at-rail-bus-stations/articleshow/43576185.cms|archive-date=28 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|title=Visakhapatnam railway station witnesses 40,000 footfall before fest - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/city-rly-station-witnesses-40000-footfall-before-fest/articleshow/56505803.cms|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Times of India}}</ref> It also has sea and air travel infrastructure such as, [[Visakhapatnam Port]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Passenger ship sails to Andaman under clear sky|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-05-22/Passenger-ship-sails-to-Andaman-under-clear-sky/229713|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Hans India}}</ref> and [[Visakhapatnam Airport]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gopal|first1=B. Madhu|title=Flurry of special flights at city airport|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Flurry-of-special-flights-at-city-airport/article17105742.ece|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127201024/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Flurry-of-special-flights-at-city-airport/article17105742.ece|archive-date=27 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|APSRTC]] operates city, district and inter-state bus services from Dwaraka bus station.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 October 2011|title=Buses towards Vizianagaram to leave from Dwaraka Bus Station|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/buses-towards-vizianagaram-to-leave-from-dwaraka-bus-station/article2555027.ece|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310222907/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/buses-towards-vizianagaram-to-leave-from-dwaraka-bus-station/article2555027.ece|archive-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> Over 600 city buses operate over 150 routes, in addition to [[Visakhapatnam Bus Rapid Transit System|Bus Rapid Transit System]] in two corridors of Pendurthi and Simhachalam.<ref name=transport />{{rp|21}} A planned ''Integrated Bus Terminal Complex'' would be built at Maddilapalem.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 June 2016|title=Integrated bus terminal soon in city|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Integrated-bus-terminal-soon-in-city/article14433769.ece|url-status=live|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310222843/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Integrated-bus-terminal-soon-in-city/article14433769.ece|archive-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> Apart from buses, there are about 25,000 auto rickshaws plying on the city roads which provide intermediate public transport.<ref name=transport />{{rp|22}}
 
Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of [[South Coast Railway zone]] of Indian railways. [[Visakhapatnam railway station]] is as an ''A1'' station<ref>{{cite web|title=Statement showing Category-wise No.of stations|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI&ACategoryStns.pdf|website=Indian Railways|access-date=12 May 2017|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128044328/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/StationRedevelopment/AI%26ACategoryStns.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> with the highest gross revenue in the [[Waltair railway division]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|title=Waltair Division nets highest-ever earnings|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Waltair-Division-nets-highest-ever-earnings/article14380107.ece|access-date=20 May 2017|work=The Hindu}}</ref> It serves an average of 20,000–25,000 passengers daily and may rise up to 40,000 during festivals.<ref name="indiatimes1" /> It has the country's largest diesel locomotive shed with a capacity of 206.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/DLS/ECOR/Vishakhapatnam.pdf |title=Diesel Locomotive Shed, Visakhapatnam |publisher=Indian Railways |access-date=28 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034902/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/DLS/ECOR/Vishakhapatnam.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Visakhapatnam Metro]] is a planned metro rail project.<ref name="indiatimes">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/First-phase-of-Vizag-metro-rail-to-be-ready-by-end-of-2018/articleshow/48834953.cms|title=First phase of Vizag metro rail to be ready by end of 2018|work=The Times of India|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913124406/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/First-phase-of-Vizag-metro-rail-to-be-ready-by-end-of-2018/articleshow/48834953.cms|archive-date=13 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
[[File:Vizag airport terminal full view.jpg|thumb|Visakhapatnam Airport Terminal]]
 
{{As of|2013}}, 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).<ref name=transport />{{rp|23}} The total road network accounts for a total length of {{Convert|2007.10|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|title=DETAILS OF ROADS IN EACH ULB OF ANDHRA PRADESH|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101300/http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp|archive-date=1 August 2016}}</ref> [[National Highway 16 (India)|NH16]], a major highway and a part of the [[Golden 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.
 
[[Visakhapatnam Port]] is one of 13 major [[List of ports in India|ports in India]] and the only major port of Andhra Pradesh. It is India's second-largest port by volume of cargo handled. It is located on the east coast of India and is located midway between the [[Chennai Port|Chennai]] and [[Port of Kolkata|Kolkata Ports]]. Cruise shipping is operational between Visakhapatnam and [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman and Nicobar islands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vizagport.com/|title=VISAKHAPATNAM PORT TRUST - HOME PAGE|last=fullahead.org|website=vizagport.com|access-date=2018-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503082444/http://www.vizagport.com/|archive-date=3 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Basu|first=Arpit|date=14 September 2019|title=Now, you can 'cruise' to Malaysia from city|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/now-you-can-cruise-to-malaysia-from-city/articleshow/71118502.cms|url-status=live|access-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401180444/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/now-you-can-cruise-to-malaysia-from-city/articleshow/71118502.cms|archive-date=1 April 2021}}</ref>
 
== Education ==
{{See also|List of educational institutions in Visakhapatnam}}
[[File:St Aloysius Anglo Indian High School (SAS) established in 1847 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|[[St Aloysius' Anglo-Indian High School]] (SAS) established in 1847 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh]]
 
The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the ''School Education Department'' of the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=School Education Department|url=http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf|publisher=School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319051231/http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal |url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |website=ap.gov.in |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155331/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |archive-date= 7 November 2016 }}</ref> As per the school information report for the academic year 2016–17, urban Visakhapatnam had [[Indian numbering system|1,44,268]] (Western: 144,268) students<ref>{{cite web|title=Student Information Report|url=http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/districtStudentReport.do?mode=getVillageReportsList&mandalCode=281329&mandalName=VISAKHAPATNAM%20URBAN|website=Commissionerate of School Education|publisher=Child info 2016–17, District School Education – Andhra Pradesh|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301013417/https://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/districtStudentReport.do?mode=getVillageReportsList&mandalCode=281329&mandalName=VISAKHAPATNAM%20URBAN|archive-date=1 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> enrolled in 434 schools.<ref>{{cite web|title=GIS Coordinates|url=http://cse.ap.gov.in/DSE/longitudecount.do?mode=displayVillages&mandalId=281329&distId=2813|website=Commissionerate of School Education|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref> The [[Central Board of Secondary Education]], [[Secondary School Certificate]] or the [[Indian 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Devalla|first1=Rani|title=Introduction of English medium in municipal schools decried|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Introduction-of-English-medium-in-municipal-schools-decried/article16995452.ece|access-date=6 June 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106163033/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Introduction-of-English-medium-in-municipal-schools-decried/article16995452.ece|archive-date=6 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''St. Aloysius Anglo Indian Boys High School '' is the oldest school in the city to have established in the year 1847.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Benjamin|first1=Ravi. P.|title=Old town, a pale shadow of a glorious past|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/old-town-a-pale-shadow-of-a-glorious-past/article4676052.ece|access-date=6 June 2017|work=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505031004/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/old-town-a-pale-shadow-of-a-glorious-past/article4676052.ece|archive-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The Visakhapatnam District Central Library is supported by the government and is located at Dwaraka Nagar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Libraries in Visakhapatnam district|url=http://publiclibraries.ap.nic.in/distwise/visakhapatnam.html|website=publiclibraries.ap.nic.in|access-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618174945/http://publiclibraries.ap.nic.in/distwise/visakhapatnam.html|archive-date=18 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=17 September 2016|title=Buzz of activity at The Hindu Ozone Day contest|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Buzz-of-activity-at-The-Hindu-Ozone-Day-contest/article14985360.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128220410/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Buzz-of-activity-at-The-Hindu-Ozone-Day-contest/article14985360.ece|archive-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>
 
There are tens of junior colleges under Government, Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential and private undertakings.<ref name="colleges">{{cite web|title=List of colleges in Visakhapatnam district|url=https://bie.ap.gov.in/CollegesReport.do?mode=GetMandalWise&param2=dist&dist_code=3&dist_name=Visakhapatnam&mandal_code=&mandal_name=|website=Board of Intermediate Education|access-date=27 September 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Andhra University]] is the only autonomous college approved under ''Universities Grant Commission'' scheme.<ref>{{cite web|title=Autonomous colleges list|url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/colleges/autonomous_colleges-list.pdf|website=Universities Grants Commission|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018071151/http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/colleges/autonomous_colleges-list.pdf|archive-date=18 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Mrs. A. V. N. College]]'' is one of the oldest educational institution in the city.<ref name="city_of_destiny 2" />{{rp|35}}
 
The [[Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management|GITAM University]] and the [[Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering]] are other technical-education institutions in the city. Visakhapatnam is also home to [[Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University]] (DSNLU), which is the [[National Law Universities|National Law University]] for the state of Andhra Pradesh. DSNLU takes entrance through [[Common Law Admission Test]] and ranks 15th by order of establishment among the 17 National Law Universities. The city is due to get India's first packaging park<ref>{{Cite news|last=Patnaik|first=Santosh|date=7 January 2015|title=India's first packaging park likely to be set up in Vizag|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/indias-first-packaging-park-likely-to-be-set-up-in-vizag/article6761827.ece|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> with an Indian Institute of Packaging, IIP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/IIP-studying-viability-of-extension-centre-in-Visakhapatnam/articleshow/42154059.cms|title=IIP studying viability of extension centre in Visakhapatnam|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223113654/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Visakhapatnam/IIP-studying-viability-of-extension-centre-in-Visakhapatnam/articleshow/42154059.cms|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and BITS Pilani & Birla International School under the aegis of [[Sarala Birla Academy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Four-sites-identified-for-BITS-Sarala-Birla-Academy-in-district/articleshow/45959419.cms|title=Four sites identified for BITS, Sarala Birla Academy in district|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125132224/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Four-sites-identified-for-BITS-Sarala-Birla-Academy-in-district/articleshow/45959419.cms|archive-date=25 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
The [[Indian Maritime University]] (IMU) was established as a central university by the government of India by an act of Parliament (the Indian Maritime University Act 2008). IMU is poised to play a role in the development of human resources for the maritime sector. The city also has the [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]]. The [[Indian Institutes of Management|Indian Institute of Management]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/iimv-to-begin-with-flagship-programme-in-management/article6837692.ece|title=IIM-V to begin with flagship programme in management|author=Sumit Bhattacharjee|work=The Hindu|date=30 January 2015|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203512/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/iimv-to-begin-with-flagship-programme-in-management/article6837692.ece|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145753|title=Petroleum Minister Launches Website of IIPE Visakhapatnam|access-date=29 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814030018/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=145753|archive-date=14 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> are the other institutions of national importance.
 
== Defence and research ==
 
=== Naval base ===
[[File:INS Karmuk P64 at Visakhapatnam.jpg|thumbnail|Naval warship|alt=Navy vessel sailing through canal]]
Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of the [[Eastern Naval Command]], the [[Naval Science and Technological Laboratory]] (a [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]] Lab), a Chief Quality Assurance Establishment (CQAE), an EFS office, a Naval Dockyard (established in 1949) and Naval Bases including [[INS Virbahu]], [[INS Karna]], [[INS Kalinga]], INS Samudrika, [[INS Satavahana]], and [[INS Dega]]. A new base at [[INS Varsha|INS Rambilli]] is being built on {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} with an investment of {{INRConvert|15|b|0|nolink=yes}}, as the first dedicated nuclear submarine base in India.<ref name=toi26m>{{cite news|title=India readies hi-tech naval base to keep eye on China|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-26/india/38039841_1_akula-ii-ins-chakra-underground-nuclear-submarine-base|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327133023/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-26/india/38039841_1_akula-ii-ins-chakra-underground-nuclear-submarine-base|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2013|access-date=4 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=26 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=thu17s>{{cite news|title=Navy to have second base near Vizag|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091718250100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204211016/http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091718250100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2007|access-date=4 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 September 2006}}</ref> India's first nuclear submarine [[INS Arihant]] was launched in the Naval Dockyard, and [[Bharat Dynamics Limited|Bharat Dynamics]] has begun manufacturing torpedoes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 November 2017|title=Bharat Dynamics opens unit at Visakhapatnam|work=The Hindu BusinessLine|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Bharat-Dynamics-opens-unit-at-Visakhapatnam/article20683522.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402102335/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/Bharat-Dynamics-opens-unit-at-Visakhapatnam/article20683522.ece|archive-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> The city also has presence of the [[Indian Coast Guard]] including ships and offices. Multiple naval training establishments, such as the Navy ShipWright School,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/training/navy-training/shipwright-school|title=ShipWright School : Training : Indian Navy|work=indiannavy.nic.in|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218105759/http://indiannavy.nic.in/training/navy-training/shipwright-school|archive-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> are also situated here.
 
=== Research organisations ===
The [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]] (BARC) has its second research facility in the country (after Trombay) in Atchutapuram mandal in the district.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 January 2011|title=Second campus in Vizag: BARC may begin work later this year|work=The Hindu BusinessLine|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Second-campus-in-Vizag-BARC-may-begin-work-later-this-year/article20067471.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809073100/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Second-campus-in-Vizag-BARC-may-begin-work-later-this-year/article20067471.ece|archive-date=9 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bandari|first=Pavan Kumar|date=4 December 2019|title=BARC invites applications to fill the vacancies at Visakhapatnam and Mumbai centres|work=The Hans India|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/education-careers/barc-invites-applications-to-fill-the-vacancies-at-visakhapatnam-and-mumbai-centres-586990|url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402103451/https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/education-careers/barc-invites-applications-to-fill-the-vacancies-at-visakhapatnam-and-mumbai-centres-586990|archive-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> There are also offices of the [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]] and the [[India Meteorological Department]].
== Sports ==
[[File:Vizagacavdca.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium at [[Pothinamallayya Palem|PM Palem]]|alt=major international stadium for cricket]]
[[File:ENC Cricket Team which won the VDCA Institutional League Cricket Championship 2015-16.jpg|thumb|ENC Cricket Team which won the VDCA Institutional League Cricket Championship 2015–16]]
[[Cricket]] is the most popular sport, followed by [[tennis]] and [[association football|football]]. Visakhapatnam is home to a number of local cricket teams participating in district and zonal matches. Gully cricket (a form of cricket played in streets or parks) is a popular sport among local youth.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} Visakhapatnam co-hosted the 32nd [[National Games of India|National Games]] alongside [[Hyderabad]] in 2002. The city has seven cricket stadiums, which are used for [[Ranji Trophy]] matches; two of these stadiums have been used for [[One Day International|one day international]] (ODI) matches. [[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.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} The stadium has been discontinued in favour of the new [[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium]],  [[Pothinamallayya Palem|PM Palem]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
 
[[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium]] is the home of [[Andhra Cricket Association]]. It regularly hosts [[Ranji Trophy]], One Day Internationals and [[Test cricket|Test Internationals]]. The stadium is the home ground of [[Andhra cricket team]]. The stadium also hosted [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] matches as a neutral venue. It hosted its first test match against England beginning on 17 November 2016.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}
 
Port Trust Golden Jubilee Stadium is the second largest stadium in Visakhapatnam, which has hosted Under-19 Youth Internationals. It also hosted the [[2014 Pro Kabaddi League season]] as the home ground for the [[Telugu Titans]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro Kabaddi League season |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pro-kabaddi-league/Kabaddi-Leagues-Vizag-franchise-Telugu-Titans-launched/articleshow/38619888.cms |work=The Times of India|access-date=18 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731175431/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pro-kabaddi-league/Kabaddi-Leagues-Vizag-franchise-Telugu-Titans-launched/articleshow/38619888.cms |archive-date=31 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>[[Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium]], built by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, is used for various indoor sports,<ref>{{cite web|title=sports indore stadium|url=http://www.gvmc.gov.in/gvmc/index.php/menu-styles/education/sports/|publisher=GVMC sports|access-date=3 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824191835/http://www.gvmc.gov.in/gvmc/index.php/menu-styles/education/sports|archive-date=24 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the GVMC Aqua Sports Complex, an aquatic centre for swimming and diving, is near the beach road.<ref>{{cite news |title=GVMC Aqua Sports Complex |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/cool-way-to-beat-the-heat/article3359670.ece |work=The Hindu|date=27 April 2012 |access-date=27 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319002623/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/cool-way-to-beat-the-heat/article3359670.ece |archive-date=19 March 2014 |url-status=live|last1=Gopal |first1=B. Madhu }}</ref>
 
[[Surfing]] activities are common at the Rushikonda beach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rushikonda a big draw for cricketers |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Rushikonda-a-big-draw-for-cricketers/article16644480.ece |work=The Hindu|date=17 November 2016 |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221172516/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Rushikonda-a-big-draw-for-cricketers/article16644480.ece |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Scuba diving]] at [[Chintapalle, Visakhapatnam district|Chintapalli]] in the scenic city has been attracting tourists from all over.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yovizag.com/vizag-scuba-diving-destination/|title=Vizag emerging as a major diving destination in India. Here's why!|date=2018-08-23|work=Visakhapatnam News, Vizag Breaking News, Andhra Pradesh, India News, Entertainment, Movies, Magazine & More...|access-date=2018-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912172556/https://www.yovizag.com/vizag-scuba-diving-destination/|archive-date=12 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
== Media ==
The Telugu dailies publishers in the city are [[Eenadu]], [[ABN Andhra Jyothi|Andhra Jyothy]], [[Sakshi (media group)|Sakshi]], [[Andhra Bhoomi]], [[Andhra Prabha]], [[Vaartha]], [[Suryaa (newspaper)|Suryaa]], [[Prajasakti]] and [[Visalaandhra]]. Apart from the local language, there are also English papers such as [[The Hindu]], [[The Times of India]], [[Deccan Chronicle]], [[Business Line|The Hindu Business Line]], [[The New Indian Express]] and [[The Hans India]].
 
=== FM stations ===
* [[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] – 91.1 – Telugu/Hindi
* [[Big 92.7 FM]] – 92.7 – Telugu/Hindi
* [[Red FM 93.5|Red FM]] – 93.5 – Telugu/Hindi
* [[Radio Mirchi]] – 98.3 – Telugu
*AIR Primary – 101.6 – Telugu<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themediaant.com/radio?languages=Telugu|title=Telugu FM Radio Channel Advertising|website=themediaant.com|access-date=2018-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912131542/https://www.themediaant.com/radio?languages=Telugu|archive-date=12 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[AIR FM Rainbow]] – 102.0 – Telugu
*Visakha FM – 105.6 – Telugu
*[[Gyan Vani]] – 106.4 – Telugu/English/Hindi<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fmstations.bharatiyamobile.com/Indian-FM-Stations-Statewise.php?state=Andhra+Pradesh&location=Visakhapatnam|title=FM Radio Stations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh|website=fmstations.bharatiyamobile.com|access-date=2018-09-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912131207/https://fmstations.bharatiyamobile.com/Indian-FM-Stations-Statewise.php?state=Andhra+Pradesh&location=Visakhapatnam|archive-date=12 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
== Notable people ==
[[File:Sir CV Raman.JPG|thumb|150px|[[C. V. Raman|Sir C. V. Raman]], [[Nobel Laureate]] (1930) and [[Physicist]] known for his discovery of [[Raman scattering|Raman Effect]].]]
[[File:Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan 1967 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]], the [[List of vice presidents of India|first vice president]] of India on a postal stamp of 1967.]]
* [[Alluri Sitarama Raju]]
*[[M. V. V. S. Murthi]]
* [[Gurajada Apparao]]
* [[Concordia Merrel]]
* [[C. V. Raman|Sir C. V. Raman]]
* [[Gam Malludora]]
* [[Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy]]
* [[Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan]]
* [[Tenneti Viswanadham]]
* [[Sri Sri (writer)|Sri Sri]]
* [[Aarudhra]]
* [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]]
* [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]]
* [[Venkaiah Naidu]]
* [[Ramana Gogula]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140920/nation-current-affairs/article/vizag-be-mega-city-says-well-known-vizagite-ramana-gogula|title=Vizag to be a mega city, says well-known Vizagite, Ramana Gogula|date=20 September 2014|access-date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190850/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140920/nation-current-affairs/article/vizag-be-mega-city-says-well-known-vizagite-ramana-gogula|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Saketh Myneni]]
* [[P. T. Srinivasa Iyengar]]
* [[Kotcherlakota Rangadhama Rao]]
* [[Kambhampati Hari Babu]]
* [[Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana]]
* [[Sri Kantha Krishnamacharyulu]]
* [[Devika Rani]]
* [[L. V. Revanth]]
* [[Venugopal Rao (cricketer)|Venugopal Rao]]
*[[Satyadev Kancharana]]
*[[Chandini Chowdary]]
 
== See also ==
* [[List of most populous cities in India]]
* [[List of municipal corporations in India]]
* [[List of tourist attractions and events in Visakhapatnam]]
* [[List of neighbourhoods in Visakhapatnam]]
* [[List of Cities in Andhra Pradesh]]
 
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=fn}}
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite news|url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140912/nation-current-affairs/article/dmrc-prepare-report-vizag-metro-rail-project|title = DMRC to prepare report on Vizag metro rail|date = 12 September 2014|access-date = 19 September 2014}}*
 
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Visakhapatnam}}
{{Wikivoyage|Visakhapatnam}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Asia/India/Andhra_Pradesh/Localities/Visakhapatnam/}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Vizagapatam|volume=28|pages=164–165}} This contains a detailed description of the town and district under British rule.
* [http://www.vuda.gov.in/ Official website of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority]
 
{{Navboxes
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|title = [[File:Gnome-globe.svg|25px]]{{nbsp}}Geographic locale
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'''[[Geographic coordinate system|Lat. <small>and</small> Long.]] {{Coord|17.704167|N|83.297778|E|display=inline}}'''
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{{Neighbourhoods of Visakhapatnam}}
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[[Category:Visakhapatnam| ]]
[[Category:All articles containing potentially dated statements]]
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[[Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh]]
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[[Category:Port cities in India]]
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Revision as of 08:58, 3 October 2022

Visakhapatnam Vizag Waltair Vizagapatam is a metropolitan area and port city in the Andhra Pradesh, India.

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