State clears way to appoint new DPR consultant for Visakhapatnam Metro

Visakhapatnam, India (Urban Transport News): The State Government of Andhra Pradesh on Friday has decided to extend the length of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project up to 79.91 km in the first phase. The state government has given instructions to the Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) to appoint a new consultant for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project.

The government has also directed AMRC officials to consult the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), RITES Limited and Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) in this regard. "The decision was taken to start the planning and execution of the project from scratch after Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a review meeting, had suggested that the facility be extended to other parts of Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA)", reported by The New Indian Express.

The first phase of the metro rail project in Visakhapatnam was initially scheduled to be taken up in three corridors for a length of 46.4 km. With the latest announcement, the corridor proposed, from Gajuwaka to Kommadi, will be extended to the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, from 34.23 km to 67.74 km. The other two corridors are Gurudwara to Old Post Office (5.26 km) and Thatichetlapalem to Rama Krishna Beach Road (6.91 km).

As part of the second phase of the metro rail project in Visakhapatnam, a 60 km-long trackless tram (Metrolite) has been proposed. These trams, which run on virtual tracks on the road, work based on the autonomous rail rapid transit system. The AMRC has also been authorized to invite companies to prepare a DPR for the Metrolite (tram) project as well. The tram project is proposed to be taken up in the second phase after 2023 and before 2028. Including the tram project, a total of 10 corridors will be built under the Visakhapatnam light metro project. Light Metro Rail (Phase I): 79.91 km

• Corridor 1: From Steel Plant to Kommadi (34.23 km)
• Corridor 2: Gurudwara to Old Post Office (5.26 km)
• Corridor 3: Thatichetlapalem to Rama Krishna Beach Road (6.91 km)
• Corridor 4: Kommadi to Anandapuram Junction (8.3 km)
• Corridor 5: Law College to Marlkavalasa (8.21 km)
• Corridor 6: Anandapuram Junction to Bhogapuram Airport (17 km)

Metrolite (Tram) Phase II: 60.2 km

• Corridor 7: NAD Junction to Pendurti (10.2 km)
• Corridor 8: Steel plant to Anakapalle (18.2 km)
• Corridor 9:  Old post office to Rushikonda beach (15.4 km)
• Corridor 10:  Rushikonda beach to Bheemili beach (16.4 km)