A colony sans apartments

Gullalapalem VUDA Colony near Sriharipuram is a preferred area for many. The place, once a spread of mango orchards, still reflects shades of the past. Formed in 1978, the colony has 490 independent houses.

A view of the arch at the entrance of Gullalapalem VUDA Colony near Sriharipuram in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C_V_SUBRAHMANYAM

A spacious park with walking and bicycle tracks on one side and an array of assorted shops on the other end meet the eyes as you pass through the huge arch at the entrance of the Gullalapalem VUDA Colony near Sriharipuram.

The place, once a spread of mango orchards, still reflects shades of the past. Formed in 1978, the colony has 490 independent houses where several duplex villas dot the lanes. Surprisingly, with a population numbering over 2,500 who come from diverse backgrounds, the 35-year-old colony remains untouched by the apartment culture.

The residential colony, known for its peaceful setting, is now occupied by retired employees of HPCL, Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Hindustan Zinc, Vizag Steel Plant and Coromandel Fertilisers who purchased the houses during their employment. Today, with a ratio of 60 per cent owners and 40 per cent tenants, a number of PSU employees and Navy personnel made the colony their home.

From Mahatma Gandhi Shopping Complex that has more than 40 shops to a huge vegetable and meat markets, uninterrupted municipal water supply to proximity to every hub, litter-free lanes to efficient police patrol, the residents have more than one reason to fall in love with the place.

Significant feature

Apparently, the colony people boast of two significant elements -- security aspect and friendly people. “You don’t have to bother much when you have to stay away from home for weeks. Or even otherwise, we can step out of our house at 10 p.m. without any fear or insecurity. And that’s the exceptional quality of the area,” says Anusuya, a homemaker who has been living in the area since 1997.

Gullalapalem VUDA Colony is split into MIG-2A and 2B other than MIG-1 where both higher and middle income groups have been living harmoniously for several years now. The Allottees and Residential Welfare Association takes care of the colony’s needs. “Other than solving the colony issues, we conduct health camps, host tree plantation drive and extend our service to the poor. With Gajuwaka being three km away and the city only 10 km off, the place is close to the industrial belt and several educational institutions. It is this attractive feature that draws people from far-off places to prefer this colony as their permanent home,” explains M. Gopala Rao, president of the association.