Gopalapatnam

Gopalapatnam is a neighborhood in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. The neighborhood is considered to be the major residential and commercial area in the district. It is located within the jurisdiction of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for the area's civic amenities. It is located on the western fringe of Visakhapatnam.^[1] The Visakhapatnam gas leak occurred in the neighborhood on 7 May 2020.

Simhachalam arch at gopalapatnam

Gopalapatnam
Neighbourhood
BRTS Road at Gopalapatnam
Gopalapatnam Location in Visakhapatnam
Coordinates: 17.748066°N 83.218745°E / 17.748066; 83.218745
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District	Visakhapatnam
Founded by	Government of Andhra Pradesh
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Body	GVMC
Languages
• Official	Telugu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	530027
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Visakhapatnam West
Lok Sabha constituency	Visakhapatnam

The Gopalapatnam Mandal is one of the 46 mandals of the Visakhapatnam District. It is under the administration of the Visakhapatnam Revenue Division, which is headquartered in Gopalapatnam. The Mandal is neighbored by the Gajuwaka, Seethammadhara, and Pendurthi mandals.^[2]

Wards

The Gopalapatnam Mandal consists of the following wards:

1. Butchirajpalem
2. Gopalapatnam
3. Kancharapalem
4. Kapparada
5. Madhavadhara
6. Marripalem
7. Pullambatlapalem
8. Venkatapuram

Location and geography

Simhachalam Railway station

Gopalapatnam is located around 4 km from Visakhapatnam Airport and around 8 km from the Visakhapatnam Railway Station. The neighborhood is served by the Waltair Division's Simhachalam Railway Station. The station is located at the center of the neighborhood connecting the Highways NH-16 and SH-39.^[3]

Gopalapatnam lies to the west of Visakhapatnam City and is loosely bordered by Gajuwaka to the south and Seethammadhara to the north, Pendurthi to the west, and Marripalem to the east.^[4]

Etymology

Gopalapatnam was named after Sri Gopala Raju. He once ruled the areas of Kota Gutta, Enugula Dwaram, Gurrala Cheruvu, and Taati Penda, which were later united to form the present Gopalapatnam.

Industry

LG Polymers operates a 200-acre styrene plant in the RR Venkatapuram village near Gopalapatnam, which was the site of the Visakhapatnam gas leak.

Transport

Gopalapatnam is well connected by road, with NH16 and SH39 passing through the mandal.^[5] It also has major district roads connecting it to nearby mandals and Visakhapatnam. The APSRTC runs bus services from the Gopalapatnam bus station to major parts of the state and Visakhapatnam.