Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Chairman M. V. Pranav Gopal has directed officials to expedite the construction of the ‘Yuvagalam Anti-Drug Park’, a unique initiative aimed at creating awareness among youth about the dangers of substance abuse and encouraging healthy lifestyles.Mr. Pranav Gopal inspected the project site at Visakhapatnam Central Park on Saturday and reviewed the progress of the works.Speaking on the occasion, he said the park is the first initiative of its kind in the country dedicated to addressing the issue of drug abuse through public awareness. He stressed that the facility should not be developed merely as a recreational space but as a meaningful platform to educate young people about the harmful effects of narcotics and promote positive life choices.The VMRDA Chairman instructed officials to complete the project by August and directed them to install solar-powered lighting throughout the park as part of the authority’s sustainability initiatives.Mr. Pranav Gopal also said all parks under the VMRDA’s jurisdiction would gradually be transformed into net-zero energy facilities. He asked officials to implement solar power systems across VMRDA-managed parks to encourage the use of clean and renewable energy.VMRDA OSD Krishna Naik, Executive Engineers Ramaraju and J. C. P. Singh, along with other officials, participated in the inspection. Published - June 06, 2026 07:15 pm IST