Andhra Pradesh: Vizag Metro Rail Project Gains Momentum, Work Likely To Start Soon

The city of Visakhapatnam, the largest in Andhra Pradesh and is considered the Executive capital of the state, is in need of a metro rail system to meet the growing transportation demands of its people.

The Vizag Metro project is a collaboration between the Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and IL&FS Engineering and Construction Limited.

Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) has been selected as the consultant for the project and has prepared the designs and Detailed Project Report (DPR).

U.J.M. Rao, the Managing Director of AP Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC), is optimistic about the project's commencement. He states that the final DPR for the construction of Vizag Metro Rail has been submitted to the State government.

Once the project receives approval from the State Cabinet, it will be sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for clearance.

The funding for the Vizag Metro project will be divided as follows: the Government of India will contribute 20 per cent as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), the State government will provide 20 per cent, and the remaining cost will be invested by a private investor. The project will be undertaken in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

Proposed metro route

The proposed metro corridors include a 64.09 km route from Kurmannapalem Junction to Bhogapuram via Gajuwaka and Anandapuram.

Initially, the corridor will run up to Kommadi Junction (34 km), but it will be extended to the Bhogapuram International Airport once the airport is constructed. This extension will ensure seamless connectivity for air passengers from the city.

Another corridor, spanning 6.5 km, will connect Thatichetlapalem Junction (present National Highway) to Park Hotel Junction. This route will pass through Railway New Colony, Railway Station, Old Jail Road, Vivekananda statue junction, RTC Complex, Sampath Vinayaka temple road, and AU Out Gate.

The third corridor, covering 5.5 km, will run from Gurudwara junction (Santhipuram) to the Old Head Post Office (OHPO) junction. Along this route, it will pass Diamond Park, LIC, Dabagardens, City Police Commissioner’s Office, and Poorna Market backside road.

To keep costs down, the Light Metro system and elevated corridors have been chosen for the project. Land acquisition has not posed any issues for the proposed corridors, except for the OHPO junction in the third corridor. Discussions have already been held with officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) and a shipping company located in the area regarding their properties, and they have responded positively, according to Rao's statements to The Hindu.

Initially, there will be two coaches, but the number can be increased based on demand. This mode of transport is a step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting a greener future.