The long-anticipated Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project has inched closer to realisation as the State infrastructure authorities await the final statutory and financial clearances from New Delhi.
The mass rapid transit system, envisioned to ease traffic congestion and modernise urban mobility across the port city, is currently moving through critical administrative reviews at the national level.
Speaking to The Hindu on September 30, Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) Managing Director N.P. Ramakrishna Reddy stated, “It is under process at the Centre level.” The comprehensive project layout outlines extensive multi-tier corridors designed to connect key industrial nodes, commercial districts, and residential neighborhoods.
State transport planners have updated the Detailed Project Report to align with national urban transit standards and ongoing highway expansions, aiming to minimise private land acquisition while maximising public utility.
A significant portion of the land required for the initial corridors comprises government-owned parcels, which is expected to streamline execution once final approvals are unlocked. The cooperative financial framework relies on a shared model involving both central and State equity, alongside external developmental assistance.
Transport department officials are maintaining active coordination with central ministries to expedite the clearance of files.
Once the official green light is issued by the Union government, the State administration is slated to fast-track subsequent milestones, including formal land integration, final route demarcations, and the rollout of global tenders for civil construction and specialised electrical traction networks.
Residents and commuters across the city continue to monitor developments closely, anticipating an upgrade to regional public transportation infrastructure that will support future economic expansion. The revised Phase-I blueprint of the metro project spans an estimated total cost of ₹11,498 crore. Structured to cover 46.23 kilometres across core corridors featuring 43 modern stations, the network will strategically link high-density residential hubs, commercial zones, and industrial layouts.
The initial phase blueprints focus heavily on optimising public transit efficiency while synchronizing alignments with upcoming national highway expansions to minimise private land acquisition. External development financing, including funding support discussions with multilateral institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to back roughly 60% of the project, alongside joint equity contributions from the central and State governments.
Published – October 01, 2026 06:15 am IST
