Visakhapatnam Desi news — 2026-09-18
Two women from Visakhapatnam die in Melbourne road accident
Two women from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, lost their lives in a road accident in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday night, September 17, 2026. The deceased have been identified as Ramadevi, aged 67, and her daughter-in-law Bommali Neha, aged 33. According to reports, a speeding Porsche collided with the Toyota car the two women were travelling in at the time. Neha was a resident of Melbourne, and Ramadevi had been visiting from Visakhapatnam to stay with her son and daughter-in-law. The tragedy drew expressions of grief from the Andhra Pradesh diaspora community in Australia and back home in Visakhapatnam, where relatives were in shock following the news. The incident has resonated deeply within the South Asian community in Melbourne, which includes a significant number of Telugu-speaking families from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Visakhapatnam has a large diaspora presence across Australian cities, and such tragedies tend to unite community members in grief and support for the affected families. Local authorities in Melbourne were reported to be investigating the circumstances of the crash, and the Indian consular office in Australia was expected to extend assistance to the bereaved family. The news underscores the enduring ties between Visakhapatnam and its diaspora settled abroad. [2]
Andhra Pradesh investment board clears ₹526 crore projects with projection of nearly 9,000 jobs
The State Investment Promotion Board of Andhra Pradesh cleared a set of infrastructure and development projects collectively valued at ₹526 crore in a recent meeting, with projections indicating that the approved proposals could generate approximately 8,896 employment opportunities within the state. The clearances cover a range of urban infrastructure and industrial development initiatives, reflecting the Andhra Pradesh government's sustained push to attract investment and accelerate economic growth. The projects are expected to span sectors that include urban development and industrial expansion in key corridors of the state, including areas connected to Visakhapatnam, which continues to serve as a primary economic engine for Andhra Pradesh. Officials noted that the SIPB approvals signal ongoing interest from both domestic and international investors in the state's growing industrial and services landscape. Visakhapatnam, known for its strategic port facilities, petrochemical industries, and manufacturing base, has been central to the state's investment promotion strategy. The anticipated job creation from these projects will be closely monitored by the government as it seeks to improve employment indicators across the region. The approvals form part of a broader pattern of development clearances that the Andhra Pradesh government has been pushing through in recent months as it looks to position the state as a leading destination for industrial and infrastructure investment. [1]
YSRCP alleges Centre and state colluding to privatize Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
The YSR Congress Party leveled fresh allegations claiming a coordinated effort between the central government and the Andhra Pradesh state government to advance the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, formally known as Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited. Senior YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnadh used the term collusion to characterize what he described as an alignment of interests aimed at handing the public sector steel facility over to private ownership. The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has been at the center of a prolonged political and labor controversy in Andhra Pradesh, with workers, trade unions, opposition parties, and civil society groups strongly opposing any moves toward privatization. Supporters of the public sector unit argue that the plant represents not only economic livelihoods for thousands of workers and their families but also a symbol of regional identity tied to the agitation that historically led to its establishment. The ruling Telugu Desam Party-led state government has not publicly accepted the characterization of collusion, and the central government has reiterated its general stance on strategic disinvestment in select public sector enterprises. The debate over the steel plant's future continues to be one of the most politically charged issues in the Visakhapatnam region, with multiple stakeholders watching closely for any policy developments from both state and central authorities. [9]
Sources: [2] ETV Bharat · [1] ET Infra · [9] ANI News