Visakhapatnam to get Rs 8000 cr Light Metro Rail

The citizens of Visakhapatnam set deemed to travel aboard a light metro rail with the state and central governments finally approving the Rs 8000 crore project.

It has been reported that Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) will be bearing 50% of the project cost while the remaining will be contributed by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and under the PPP partnership model.

The decision was taken at the meeting that invloved Minister for Municipal Administration P. Narayana with Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development R. Karikal Valevan and AMRC Managing Director N.P. Ramakrishna Reddy in Visakhapatnam recently.

The VUDA has been handed over the responsibility of the execution of the project, and its Vice Chairman P. Basanth Kumar told the reporters that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared and sent soon to the government.

As per a proposal, the first phase of the project is expected to cover a distance of 42.54 km from Gajuwaka to Kommadi in the city.

Earlier, the state government had made a fresh plea to the central government for the metro rail projects in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Also, the following firms have submitted bids for the Request for Qualification (RfQ) :

1. Adani Enterprises Limited, Gurgaon
2. TRIL Urban Transport Private Limited, Mumbai
3. Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Limited, Mumbai
4. ESSEL Infraprojects Limited, Mumbai
5. IL&FS Rail Limited, Mumbai