The long-pending Panchagramalu land issue is emerging as an important local issue ahead of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections.

The Panchagramalu area has been associated with demands for house-site pattas and resolution of land-related issues. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently said that steps would be taken to resolve the issue and expedite the issuance of pattas to around 22,000 eligible beneficiaries.

The issue assumes significance following the completion of GVMC ward delimitation. The number of GVMC wards has increased from 98 to 120, with the new structure divided across 10 zones.

The North Zone has the highest number of wards at 20, while Gajuwaka has 19 and the East Zone has 18. The delimitation process was formally notified by the government on September 14, 2026.

With the municipal election process moving forward, land and civic issues affecting individual wards are expected to feature prominently in local discussions. GVMC has also published ward-wise voter lists for all 120 wards, with 18,29,966 voters registered across the corporation.

 

The Panchagramalu issue therefore remains an important local development and land-rights matter as Visakhapatnam prepares for the upcoming GVMC elections.