The Administration of Visakhapatnam officially started in 1803,[1] with the municipality of Visakhapatnam being established in 1861.[2] Currently, it is known as the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). Its total area is 681 km2 (263 sq mi) with 98 wards and 8 zones.[3] The mayor is elected by corporators who are representative of their wards.[4]
The Visakhapatnam City Police was established in 1983. It is headed by a police commissioner and assisted by a joint police commissioner and includes two zones and 44 police stations.[8] Its police system is one of the oldest in India, celebrating its 160-year anniversary in 2021.[9]