Andhra Pradesh Government To Update Comprehensive Mobility Plan For Rs 14,300 Crore Visakhapatnam Metro Proposal

The central government has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to update the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) submitted with the Visakhapatnam metro rail project proposal.

The CMP is a critical document for the appraisal and approval of transport projects, such as metro rail, BRTS, and feeder networks, by the union government.

The state government proposed a Visakhapatnam light metro rail project, covering 76.9 km in a public-private partnership model. The project is estimated to cost nearly Rs 14,300 crore.

Spanning across four corridors, the project has undergone a significant expansion from its initial vision. The metro network is slated to connect vital areas within the city and extend its reach as far as Bhogapuram.

Additionally, plans for approximately 60 kilometres of tram corridors in other areas, including Anakapalli, Pendurthi, and Beach Road, have been proposed.

Since the CMP was prepared in 2018, the state government has been asked to provide an updated version. The previous CMP outlined a multi-faceted urban transport strategy to develop a sustainable, low-carbon, and safe urban transportation plan to support Visakhapatnam’s economic growth.

The Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) was engaged as a consultant to prepare the 2018 CMP. Primary surveys, such as traffic surveys, household surveys, and roadside interviews, were conducted between 2016 and 2017 as part of data collection for the CMP study.

The plan included the procurement of over 2,000 buses (700 buses in the immediate term) and proposed two additional BRTS corridors in addition to the existing 42-km BRTS network in Visakhapatnam. It also called for redesigned streets with improved signage and road markings.

The proposals included footpath facilities along a 360 km road stretch and dedicated pedestrian walkways. Complementing the public transport system, the report also suggested implementing a public bike-sharing system and segregated cycle tracks along a 286 km road stretch. The preparation of a transit-oriented development plan was also included in the previous plan.

Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) managing director UJM Rao stated that the general validity of a CMP is five years.

“The CMP for Vizag was prepared about six years ago. After we were asked to update the CMP, we revisited it and made slight changes. We will send the revised CMP to the union government. No further changes are needed,” said Rao, as reported by Economic Times.

With an expanded scope and a focus on multi-modal integration, the Vizag metro aims to meet the evolving needs of the port city's residents and contribute to its ongoing development.