AP to develop green metro rail corridors in Vizag, Vijayawada

Andhra Pradesh Government after overcoming multiple teething problems has finally decided to take up work on metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada with eco-friendly technologies.

Originally mooted with involvement of private players as a joint venture with AP and Central Governments, the first phase of both the projects will need an investment of Rs.21,616 crore.

The Cabinet cleared inviting tenders for the projects on Friday under the aegis of AP Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (APMRCL). Initially, it has been decided to float tenders for 40% of project cost. The Centre and the State Government have agreed for 50:50 ratio funding.

Initially, the works will start by releasing funds from Visakhapatnam Metro Region Development Authority (VMRDA) and Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA).

Both metro projects will have double decker flyover and underground stations selectively. While VMRDA has been asked to release Rs.4,101 crore for Visakhapatnaman Metro, CRDA will give Rs.

Rs.3,497 crore for Vijayawada Metro project.

While Visakhapatnam Metro Rail will have four corridors over a length of 79.9 km in first phase, Vijayawada will be developed over 38.9 km with three corridors.

APMRCL Managing Director NP Ramakrishna Reddy said they will follow joint venture route by seeking external borrowing and funding by both the State Government and the Centre.

The revised DPR for both the projects have been cleared by the NDA Government at the Centre sometime ago. An official connected with the urban mobility projects told Bizz Buzz that to make the metro rail projects self-sustaining, the government is planning to develop commercial infrastructure for letting/leasing out space.

The metro rail projects envisaging connecting Visakhapatnam with Bhogapuram International Airport and in Vijayawada linking Gannavaram Airport to the capital city could not be launched due to a variety of factors for over a decade.