APMRC Opens Door For Joint Ventures In Bidding For Vijayawada And Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Projects

The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) has announced that joint ventures (JVs) will be permitted to participate in the bidding process for the upcoming metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

The move is aimed at encouraging broader participation from competent firms with proven experience in handling large-scale infrastructure works.

In a press release, APMRC Managing Director NP Ramakrishna Reddy explained that the decision would have wider participation of eligible bidders and stressed that the target is to complete the projects within 36 months.

International Competitive Bidding (ICB) tenders for the civil works of Visakhapatnam Metro Phase I (46.23 km) and Vijayawada Metro Phase I (38 km) were floated in late July 2025.

At a pre-bid meeting, 13 companies had requested that the projects be split into two or more packages and that JVs be allowed to compete.

While the APMRC turned down the request for multiple packages, citing risks of cost escalation and delays, it accepted the plea to permit JVs under the Government of India and Central Vigilance Commission’s procurement guidelines.

The deadline for submission of tenders has been fixed for 10 October in the case of the Visakhapatnam project and 14 October for Vijayawada.

The corporation hopes the revised bidding rules will attract strong consortiums with both technical and financial capability to deliver on time.

The state government has also reiterated its demand for 100 per cent central funding for both projects.

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