The Vizag Metro Rail Project: Enhancing Urban Connectivity
Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is preparing to alter its urban transportation scene with a cutting-edge metro rail project. This ambitious project is the result of joint efforts by the Central and State governments, in collaboration with ILandFS Engineering and Construction Limited, and under the supervision of the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC). The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) Managing Director, UJM Rao, is optimistic that work will begin soon.
“We have submitted the final DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the development of the Vizag Metro Rail to the State government. Once the project gains approval from the State Cabinet, we will forward it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for clearance,” Rao said.
Project Funding
In each corridor, the maximum frequency between two trains will be 8 minutes, as per The Hindu. APMRC Managing Director Rao says that there will initially be two coaches, with the number increasing based on demand. The Vizag Metro project will be funded collaboratively, with the Government of India (GoI) contributing 20 per cent of the project cost as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), the State government contributing another 20 per cent, and the remaining investment secured from private investors via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Proposed Metro Corridors
The Vizag Metro project includes several key corridors that will enhance connectivity in the city. Here are the proposed corridors:
| Corridor | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | 64.09-kilometer stretch connecting Kurmannapalem Junction and Bhogapuram via Gajuwaka and Anandapuram. This corridor will first be extended up to Kommadi Junction (34 km). The metro would be expanded after the completion of Bhogapuram International Airport to enable seamless connection to and from the airport for city commuters. |
| 2 | 6.5-kilometer corridor connecting Thatichetlapalem Junction (the current National Highway) to Park Hotel Junction. It will go via Railway New Colony, Railway Station, Vivekananda statue junction, RTC Complex, Old Jail Road, Sampath Vinayaka temple road, and Andhra University Out Gate. |
| 3 | 5.5-kilometer corridor from Gurudwara Junction (Santhipuram) to Old Head Post Office (OHPO) Junction, passing via Diamond Park, the City Police Commissioner’s Office, LIC, Dabagardens, and the Poorna Market backside road. |
According to APMRC’s MD Rao, the project has chosen the light metro system and an elevated route to reduce costs. Except for the OHPO intersection in the third corridor, there are no obstacles to land purchase in any of the corridors. Meanwhile, discussions with authorities from the State Bank of India (SBI) and a shipping company in the area have garnered positive reactions to their properties.
Conclusion
The Vizag Metro Rail Project promises to significantly enhance urban connectivity in Visakhapatnam. With multiple proposed corridors and a collaborative funding approach, this project is poised to transform the city’s transportation landscape. As it moves forward through approvals and construction, Vizag residents can look forward to a more efficient and accessible public transportation system.