Union govt likely to accord approval to Vizag metro rail project soon

Visakhapatnam: The Union govt is likely to accord approval for the revised detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed Vizag metro rail project soon. According to sources, an in-principle approval order is expected to be issued within the next few days. Thereafter, the Centre is likely to seek inputs from around 12 ministries and place the project before the Public Investment Board for appraisal and final approval.The project will be developed across three corridors, covering a total length of 46.23 km at an estimated cost of Rs 11,500 crore. The tendering process was initiated a few months ago, even before the DPR received approval. Once the DPR is formally approved, the name of the successful bidder is expected to be announced within weeks. The joint venture project will receive 20% funding from the Union govt and an equal share from the Andhra Pradesh govt, while efforts are underway to secure the remaining funds from international financing agencies at lower interest rates.The 46.23-km metro network will comprise 42 stations. While most stations will be developed on govt land, limited private land may be required for station-related amenities. The three proposed corridors are Vizag Steel Plant (VSP) junction to Kommadi (34.4 km), Gurudwara to Old Post Office junction (5.08 km), and Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair (6.75 km).The VSP junction-Kommadi corridor will be developed along the national highway in a double-decker model and is expected to require minimal private land. However, the Thatichetlapalem-Chinna Waltair city corridor, which will have seven stations, may require additional private land due to limited availability of govt land in the area.Around 99 acres of land is being acquired for the project. Of this, nearly nine acres is privately owned, while the remaining land belongs to various central and state govt institutions and departments. District officials have constituted a committee to identify the specific land parcels required. Of the 91-acre govt land, about 47 acres belong to the state govt, 36 acres to the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, four acres to the railways, and three acres to the central govt. The land acquisition cost alone is estimated to cost around Rs 882 crore.The revised cost estimate for the current phase of the metro rail project, based on 2024 prices, stands at Rs 11,498 crore. Phase II of the project will include a fourth corridor from Kommadi to Bhogapuram, which will be taken up after the Bhogapuram airport becomes operational.