The Vizag Metro Rail project will feature two key depots near the Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) and Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA). These depots, essential for maintenance, storage, and operations, are part of the city’s Phase-1 metro plan spanning 46.23 km. Authorities have initiated a social impact assessment for acquiring nearly 100 acres of land required for the project.
Metro Rail Depots (MRDs) form the operational backbone of the Vizag Metro project, offering facilities for train storage, inspection, repairs, and administrative operations. One depot will be located near the Old Dairy Farm adjacent to VIMS, while the other is planned near the VPA premises. These depots will enable safe, timely metro operations and support train movements, ensuring trains are maintained, parked, and dispatched efficiently throughout the 46.23 km network.
Each depot requires around 35 to 40 acres of land, contributing to a total land requirement of nearly 100 acres for the three metro corridors. The estimated investment for land acquisition alone stands at ₹890 crore. The depots will feature essential infrastructure like maintenance workshops, train wash plants, and shunting facilities. Administrative offices will also be set up to coordinate operations, staffing, and logistics for efficient metro functioning in Visakhapatnam.
To facilitate the land procurement process, the Visakhapatnam district administration has launched a social impact assessment (SIA) in accordance with the RFCTLARR Act, 2013. The assessment, officially notified on May 30, 2025, will examine public interest, explore alternative land options, and assess impacts on local communities and food security. The survey covers both government and private land and aims to ensure a balanced and transparent acquisition process.
The land required includes around nine acres of private property and approximately 87 acres of government land. This comprises 36 acres from the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, 4 acres from Indian Railways, 47 acres under Animal Husbandry, and small portions including D-patta houses. Authorities are finalising the details, awaiting the SIA report. Officials confirm that district-level coordination is ongoing to expedite land allocation and complete necessary planning for metro infrastructure.
The Vizag Metro Rail project is gaining traction with the proposed setup of two key depots aimed at enhancing urban mobility. With the SIA in progress and land acquisition moving forward, authorities are preparing for a critical infrastructure phase that will shape the future of public transport in Visakhapatnam. The metro depots near VIMS and the port mark significant milestones in the city’s journey toward sustainable urban transit.
