Vizag Metro Rail: Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Revised DPR For 76.9km Network, To Submit Report To Centre Soon

The Vizag metro rail project is set to advance as the state cabinet gives its nod to the revised detailed project report (DPR), propelling the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) to submit the DPR to the Union government for approval.

The ambitious project, estimated at nearly Rs 14,300 crore, will see 20 per cent funding from both the Centre and the state, while the remaining 60 per cent of the costs will be shouldered by the successful bidder.

Spanning an extensive 76.9 kilometres 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.

APMRCL Managing Director U J M Rao highlighted the inclusion of previously excluded areas like Bhogapuram in the new DPR, emphasising its potential to benefit a larger population.

Rao stated, “once an official order is released from the state government on its approval for the DPR, we will forward it to the Centre. The tender process will be initiated in the next phase, with priority given to bidders willing to invest more than the mandatory 60 per cent, ” reports Times Of India.

The metro network will feature a convenient feeder bus system, enhancing accessibility to metro stations and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

Anticipating positive impacts on infrastructure development and economic growth, Rao asserted that the project would provide a comprehensive and sustainable public transportation system for the city.

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.

The project has navigated a complex history, with a global tender issued in 2017 and financing secured from a foreign bank. However, the tenders were retracted after the change of administration following the 2019 elections.

Rather than reviving the original plan, the new administration empowered APMRCL to craft a DPR for an extended metro route. The revised DPR proposes a 76.9 km metro system, nearly doubling the initial length of 42.5 km.