Andhra Pradesh: Vizag Metro's Comprehensive Technical Evaluation Set For Completion By January 2024

The completion of all pending technical evaluation works for the Vizag Metro Rail project has been directed by state chief secretary K S Jawahar Reddy.

The authorities involved, including Vizag Metro Rail Ltd (VMRL) and Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), have been given a deadline of January 2014.

During a review of various projects and programmes, Jawahar Reddy, along with officials from VMRDA, including VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner A Mallikarjuna, AP Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director U J M Rao, and GVMC commissioner C M Saikanth Varma, assessed the progress at the VMRDA office at Siripuram Junction.

The Metro Rail project will be developed in four parts, according to Rao. The first leg will be from Vizag Steel Plant to Kommadi, the second leg from Gurudwara Junction to Old Post Office, the third leg from Thatichetlapalem to China Waltair, and the fourth leg from Kommadi to Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport.

To keep costs down, the Light Metro system and elevated corridors have been chosen for the project. Land acquisition has not posed any issues for the proposed corridors, except for the OHPO junction in the third corridor.

Discussions have already been held with officials from the State Bank of India (SBI) and a shipping company located in the area regarding their properties, and they have responded positively.

Initially, there will be two coaches, but the number can be increased based on demand. This mode of transport is a step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting a greener future.

Other Urban Infra Projects

With this in mind, the chief secretary has instructed officials to transform Visakhapatnam into a special destination within the country, focusing on various theme projects and infrastructure facilities.

The state government is also committed to prioritising the city's development.

The chief secretary, earlier, inquired about the progress of various projects undertaken by VMRDA and GVMC.

The chief secretary has been informed that the jurisdiction of VMRDA in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh covers a total area of 6,836.15 square kilometres, reports The Hindu.

An approved master plan already exists for an area of 4,380.67 square kilometres, but a draft master plan needs to be prepared for the remaining 2,455.48 square kilometres. In response, the chief secretary has directed officials to work on the draft for the balance area.

During discussions, the chief secretary highlighted several projects that should be developed in Visakhapatnam.

These include the National History Museum, Signature Tower, and Convention Centre at Kapuluppada, a Water Park along the Vizag-Bheemili road, a Science City on Kailasagiri Hills, and a Kalavani Indoor Stadium modelled after Kalabharati in Hyderabad.

In addition to the project suggestions, the chief secretary emphasised the importance of developing green spaces and water bodies in order to address water-related issues and improve the overall cleanliness of the city.