What was a canopy of mango grove has turned into a tiny residential colony with a combination of group houses, apartment complexes, and a few independent structures.
Santhinagar mirrors a clear blend of old and new buildings spread over 12.5 acres. With most of the residents being retired Defence civilian personnel, life here is in stark contrast to the one in city.
The colony, located between the National Highway-16 (formerly NH-5) and Bowdara Road near NAD junction, is now home to 500 families. Here, history dates back to 1962 when a group of 102 Defence civilian employees formed a wing called Naval Armament Depot Employees’ Cooperative House Building Society. After procuring the land, the society distributed the plots to its members in 1965, dividing the area into three layouts. Out of the three, one layout was approved by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Hyderabad.
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“Since there was no Town Planning Committee existing then, we had to depend on the State Capital for the layout approval. Subsequently, the other two layouts were approved by the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Later, the task was given to private builders to construct apartments and independent houses. The colony sprang to life from the year 1967,” says president of Santhinagar Residents’ Welfare Association P.S. Prakash Rao.
With the colony surrounded by a number of private schools, grocery shops, and Marripalem Rythu Bazaar located just a kilometre away, residents say they do not have to travel far to meet their home needs.
“Women feel secure to stay in the colony without fear of theft. This apart, the proximity to NAD junction not only helps us access public transport to the city but also to other States,” says Mary Jose, a housewife, who has been residing in the colony for the past 14 years.
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Here, the elderly lot spend time reminiscing about the past.
“After serving as Defence civilian employee for long, it is time for us to relax. True to its name, the colony offers perfect hassle-free setting for retired people like us,” says D. Satya Narayana, a long-time resident.
With streetlights in place, municipal water facility available, and a park drawing all age groups together, Santhinagar appears to be a calm oasis tucked away from the maddening city rush.
At a Glance
Zone IV: Zone Commissioner J. Vijaya Lakshmi
Dial your Commissioner: 2746300
Police Station: V Town: 2558241 (Law and Order)
2783397 (Traffic)
Local MLA: Malla Vijay Prasad