Visakhapatnam Metro

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Visakhapatnam Metro is a planned rapid transit system for the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The system is proposed to reduce traffic congestion as well as providing a modern and efficient public transport system in the city which became the largest city and the main hub for economic activity of Andhra Pradesh after the state's bifurcation.^[1] It will be the only Indian city which will have a combination of both metro and tram. Once constructed it will be the world's largest metro prepared in a PPP model. Initially proposed for Metro Rail alignment for a length of 42.55 km in the city. Now, Government have planned to expand the Metro Rail system to cover more routes in the city as well as in the VMRDA (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Regional Development Authority) area.

Accordingly, a detailed project Report is under preparation for 79.9 km length of a light metro rail system and for 60.2 km length of a modern catenary-free tram system. In December 2023, The Govt. Of Andhra Pradesh has approved the DPR for Vizag Metro Rail Project.

History

A metro rail project has also been planned by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to stop chaotic traffic congestion on the streets. After the proposal was submitted by the GVMC in February 2014, the Urban Transport Department gave in-principle approval for going ahead with feasibility studies and DPR. On 25 June 2014, the GVMC called for global tenders for a detail project report to be prepared for a 25 km stretch based on traffic density. The government came with a new plan of having a large metro project with a length of 80 km from Vizag Steel Plant to Bhogapuram, where a new international airport is going to be developed by GMR group. Other lines that have been planned are:

• Thatichetlapalem to RK Beach
• Gurudwar to Old Head Post Office
• NPV Law College to Marikavalasa

Post-Andhra Pradesh bifurcation

The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail system is proposed in AP reorganization act.^{[citation needed]}

Iconic Stations

The stations would have state of the art designs with both pleasant exteriors and interiors. All stations would have good connectivity to neighbourhood areas. The stations would be built to standard codes and conforming to NFPA 130 norms for fire safety. All stations would be equipped with escalators and lifts for passenger movement. Passenger safety would be ensured by CCTV cameras, X-ray machines for baggage scanning, human scanners, fire safety system, station signage, public display and announcement system. The stations would be provided with all amenities to make it commuter-friendly.

Green Metro Concept

The environmental friendly metro rail services of “Visakhapatnam Metro”, are currently being designed and developed to make it as eco-friendly as possible, to ensure the carbon print levels become ‘zero’. Greenery is planned alongside the track all the way through to make it more pleasant. Harvesting day natural lighting by installing Solar PV panels at station roof tops, depots boundary walls, service building's roof tops, parking shelters, on viaduct etc. so as to make self-sustainability for electric general services. The Solar energy from ‘Metro Grid’, if surplus, could be spared to other organisations also. The stations would be designed to meet Platinum rating criteria as per Indian Green Building Council norms. Several Energy Conservation measures such as use of Regenerative braking in the trains to produce traction energy which would result in lower emission of Green House of Gases (GHG), using Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive for escalators and elevators, LED lights in station premises, use of Energy efficient equipment for Environment Control System etc.

Advanced Digital Technology

The latest digital services would be adopted in providing services to the metro commuters. Automatic Ticket Vending (ATV) machines, LED Glow Signage boards, One Start-to-End smart travel cards for hassle free and seamless travel and a metro app, for any information on Metro are a few to mention. However, infusing technological updates has no end and is a continuous process.

Metro Stations as Commercial Hubs

Eight stations viz. Kommadi, Madhurawada, Railway station, Dwaraka Bus station, Gajuwaka, Saraswati circle, R.K Beach (Chinnawaltair), Steel plant Jn. station have been initially identified for developing in the station premises, so that the commuters (as well as the city public of all ages) could visit and do one-stop shopping. Entertainment zones, a multiplex, mini auditoriums and daycare centres are a few possibilties in the list of futuristic plans.

Role in Tourism

The Government planned to give a much needed fillip and boost to the tourism sector in and around the Visakhapatnam area, which is the second biggest tourism revenue earner in the state, seconded by Tirumala - Tirupati. In the 32 km long beach line spreading from Vizag Old post office to Bheemili, there are many beach resorts, amusement parks, historical tourist places, one of Asia's largest zoos and many more.

The entire stretch has important recreation points like Dolphins Nose, Ramakrishna Beach, MatsyaDarshini Aquarium, INS Submarine Museum, Aircraft Museum, Visakha Museum, Tarakarama VUDA park, Lumbini park, Kailasagiri –Ropeway & Toy Train, Thinneti beach park, Thotlakonda Buddhist Shrine, GITAM University, Indira Gandhi Zoological park, Rushikonda Beach, IT Hills, Erradibbalu, Bheemili Beach - Speed boat riding and scuba diving. Each one of them is like a diamond pendent that needs seamless connectivity to rope in. The modern catenary-free tram system is being planned to connect all of these places.

First and Last Mile Connectivity

When it comes to metro services and planned ridership, multimodal integration of all means of transportation at metro stations is essential to success. It is therefore meticulously planned to make feeder services available at all times. Parking zones will be adequately provided for the feeder services at all important stations. In order to prevent commuters from losing time and money at important stations, Get-Set-Ride e-cycles, e-rickshaws, tied up metro cab/auto rickshaw services with minimum fixed fare for the commuters are planned.

Network

The proposed Light Metro Rail corridors are:

1. Kommadi to Steel Plant Jn. on NH-16 (34.23 km)
2. Gurudwara to Old Post Office (5.26 km)
3. Thatichetlapalem to Chinavalteru (RK Beach) (6.91 km)
4. Law college Jn. to Marikivalasa (8.21 km)
5. Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport (25.3 km) and

The Modern Tram Ways are:

1. Old Post Office to Rushikonda Beach (15.40 km)
2. NAD Jn. to Pendurthi (10.2 km)
3. Steel plant Jn. to Anakapalli (18.2 km)
4. Rushikonda Beach to Bheemili Beach (16.4 km)^[2]

Status updates

• Feb 2020: Work on DPR to start soon.^[3][4]
• March 2020: Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) appointed to prepare new Detailed Project Report^[5]

References