5 things you need to know about the Vizag Metro Rail Project

The metro rail is one of the most anticipated projects in Vizag. Proposed to be introduced as an advanced mode of public transport in the city, the project is expected to be developed soon with the regional office being inaugurated in Visakhapatnam recently. As Minister of Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Botcha Satyanarayana, inaugurated the office on Sunday, several details regarding the project were revealed by the officials. Here are 5 things you need to know about the Vizag Metro Rail Project.

#1 To be developed as Light Metro and Modern Tram

The Vizag metro project will be developed by the Andhra Pradesh state government over a length of about 140 km. As per the proposed model, 79.2 km of the length will be allocated for Light Metro while a Modern Tram system will be developed over the remaining length of 60 km. The tram model is likely to be developed as part of the second phase of the project. These trams, which run on virtual tracks on the road, work based on the autonomous rail rapid transit system The master plan, for both the proposals, has been prepared.

#2 DPR submission within the coming weeks

Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) consultants have been appointed for the preparation of two separate Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). As per sources, the DPR for the Light Metro will be submitted by the second week of November while the DPR for the Modern Tram will be submitted by the second week of December, the note added.

#3 Recommended Corridors

After a detailed traffic study, the consultants recommended 4 metro corridors, over 75.31 km, with 52 stations. The first corridor will be laid between Steel Plant and Kommadi Junction, over a distance of 34.23 km. The corridor is proposed to have 52 stations. The second corridor will be laid between Gurudwara and Old Post Office, over a distance of 5.26 km. The corridor is proposed to have 6 stations. While the third corridor will be laid between Tadichetlapalem and Chinna Waltair, over 6.91 km, and have 9 stations, the fourth corridor will be laid between Kommadi Junction and the upcoming Bhogapuram Airport, over 28.91 km, and have 10 stations. Of the 75.31 km, 70.5 km will be fully elevated and 4.5 km will be at grade near Bhogapuram Airport.

The DPR for Modern Tram is under preparation for a length of 60.20 km over 3 corridors. The first corridor is proposed between NAD Junction and Pendurthi over 10.20 km. A stretch of 18.20 km, between Steel Plant Gate and Anakapalle, will witness the second corridor while the route between Old Post Office and Bheemili Beach, via Rushikonda, over 31.80 km, will feature the third corridor.

#4 Special Features

The proposed metro rail project in Vizag will not have overhead electrical lines, unlike other metros across the country. The rail system will have 750 volts DC power supplied through the 3rd rail system. Another special feature of the metro rail in Vizag is that it will be a driverless metro.

#5 Dedicated MLCP facilities

The upcoming metro rail project in Vizag will also be featuring Multi-level Car Parking (MLCP) facilities. As per an official source, MLCP facilities will be set up at Steel Plant gate, Gurudwara, Maddilapalem, BVK College, Sampath Vinayak Temple, and Gajuwaka, with each facility capable of accommodating 200 to 300 cars.