HomeInfrastructureVizag Metro Rail Project Moves Forward with 100 Acres Land Acquisition for...

Vizag Metro Rail Project Moves Forward with 100 Acres Land Acquisition for Phase One

Vizag Metro Rail Project Moves Forward with 100 Acres Land Acquisition for Phase One

The long-awaited Vizag Metro Rail project is gaining momentum as the Andhra Pradesh government has announced the acquisition of 100 acres of land for its first phase. The 46.23 km network, which will feature 42 stations, is expected to transform the transport landscape of Visakhapatnam, making it one of the most modern and efficient public transit systems in the region.

Out of the 100 acres, the majority will be government-owned land, with around 47 acres belonging to the state government and 36 acres to the Vizag port. Additionally, four acres of land are owned by the railways, three acres by the central government, and the remaining nine acres are privately owned. The process of land acquisition is estimated to cost around Rs 882 crore. A special committee has been formed by Visakhapatnam district officials to ensure the efficient identification and acquisition of the land required for the metro rail project. While the majority of the stations will be developed on government land, certain areas—particularly within the city corridors—might require private land due to limited availability of state-owned land in densely populated areas.

The first phase of the project will consist of three main corridors. The longest corridor, stretching 34.4 km, will connect the Vizag Steel Plant junction to Kommadi. This stretch is expected to be developed in a double-decker model along the national highway, which will reduce the need for private land acquisition. The other two corridors—Gurudwara to Old Post Office (5.08 km) and Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair (6.75 km)—are likely to require additional private land, particularly the latter, where seven stations will be developed. The cost estimates for the first phase of the Vizag Metro project, based on current market prices, stand at Rs 11,498 crore. This includes the cost of land acquisition, infrastructure, and construction of the metro system. Phase two of the project will introduce a fourth corridor running from Kommadi to Bhogapuram, but this will only begin after the Bhogapuram airport becomes operational.

The project, which was initially supposed to be completed before the 2019 Andhra Pradesh state elections, faced significant delays. Following the 2019 elections, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government retracted earlier tenders and expanded the scope of the project to include more areas of the city. However, progress remained slow during its five-year tenure. Now, with the return of the TDP-led NDA alliance to power in 2024, the project has been revitalised. The state government is now pushing for 100% funding from the Union Government, capitalising on its alliance with the Centre to secure full financial backing for this ambitious infrastructure project.

Once the Union government approves the project, tenders for construction will be issued, marking the official start of work. The metro rail system is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity, and provide a faster, more reliable mode of transport for the people of Visakhapatnam. With work already underway on land acquisition and environmental clearances, the Vizag Metro Rail project is finally moving forward, bringing a long-awaited vision of a modern public transportation system to reality. It promises to be a game-changer for Visakhapatnam’s infrastructure and urban development, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future.

RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -spot_img

Most Popular

Latest News

Recent Comments