The Government of Andhra Pradesh has sanctioned the first stage of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of the pending Visakha and Vijayawada Metro Rail project. This development, along with these infrastructures is expected to change urban mobility in these two cities for the best by reducing traffic and enhancing public transportation services.
Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project: An Initiation Towards Development
The total cost of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project is expected to be approximately ₹11,498 crore and it will be completed in two phases. The first phase is set to consist of 46.23 kilometers to be constructed in three corridors that were intended towards the neighborhoods of the region.
Phase 1 Corridors:
Corridor 1: Steel Plant to Kommadi (34.4 km)
Corridor 2: Gurudwara to the Old Post Office (5.08 km)
Corridor 3: Thatichetlapalem to Chinavaltheru (6.75 km)
In the second stage, the project aims to cover a distance of 30.67 kilometers from Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport.
Vijayawada Metro Rail Project: Building The Bridge
However, in the same fashion as Visakhapatnam, the Vijayawada Metro Rail project has also been given a green light for their DPR. The total cost of the project which is planned to be done in two stages is approximately ₹11,009 crores.
Corridors under Phase 1:-
Pan- 1A: Gannavaram to Pandit Nehru Bus Stand
Pan- 1B: Pandit Nehru Bus Stand to Penamaluru
In the second phase, there are plans for a third corridor which will be 27.75 kilometers in length that extends from the bus stand of pandit Nehru to Amaravati.
The state government has provided ₹ 1,152 crore in order to facilitate the acquisition of land.
Key Features and Benefits of the Metro Projects
Reduction in Traffic Woes: The metro systems will provide an efficient alternative to the road transport and so there will be an ease of traffic hitches.
Environmental Friendly Mode of Transport: Metro rail provides an efficient alternative mode of transport which helps to reduce carbon footprint.
Employment Generation: The projects will lead to employment creation and enhancement of economic activities in the area.
Better Movement across Towns: The metro will link areas such as residential, commercial as well as industrial making it easier for people to move around.
Funding and Execution
The Andhra Pradesh government intends to approach the centre for funding for these projects. The DPRs have been sent to the central government for approval in order for the financial assistance to be provided. The aim of the state is to get all the funding under a regime like that of the Kolkota metro project.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Both metro works have been under the drawing board for a number of years but with the approvals recently, it is anticipated that construction will commence in the near future. Nevertheless, completion will be on time as long as the necessary central government funds are obtained and land acquisition and project implementation challenges are dealt with.
Conclusion
The Visakha and Vijayawada Metro Rail projects are the first of their kind in the country and represent a great step in the direction of infrastructure advancement in the state. Once operational, they are expected to change the face of urban transportation in the state of Andhra Pradesh as the residents will enjoy travelling using an efficient, faster, and less polluted means of transport. The active stance taken by the state government and the determination to improve the public transport system will bring positive change to the area.
