The Centre’s final nod for the Vizag metro project was awaited

The long-awaited Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project has moved closer to completion as the state’s infrastructure authorities await final statutory and financial clearances from New Delhi.

The mass rapid transit system, which aims to ease traffic congestion and modernize urban mobility across the port city, is currently undergoing critical administrative reviews at the national level.

Speaking to The Hindu on September 30, Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) Managing Director NP Ramakrishna Reddy said, “There is a process going on at the Centre.” The complex layout of the project outlines extensive multi-layered corridors designed to connect key industrial nodes, business districts and residential areas.

State transportation planners updated the detailed project report to align with national urban transportation standards and ongoing freeway expansion, with the goal of minimizing private land acquisition while maximizing public utility.

A significant portion of the land required for the initial corridors is government-owned land, which is expected to streamline implementation once final approvals are unlocked. The cooperative financial framework is based on a shared model involving both central and state capital along with external development assistance.

Transport department officials maintain active coordination with central ministries to expedite processing of files.

Once the official green light is given by the Union Government, the state administration is ready to accelerate the following milestones, including formal land integration, final delineation of routes and initiation of global tenders for civil construction and dedicated electric traction network.

Residents and commuters across the city continue to closely monitor developments and expect upgrades to the region’s public transportation infrastructure to support future economic expansion. The revised plan for Phase I of the metro project covers an estimated total cost of ₹ 11,498 crore. Structured to cover 46.23 kilometers across major corridors with 43 modern stations, the network will strategically connect high-density residential nodes, commercial zones and industrial layouts.

The initial phase plans focus heavily on optimizing the efficiency of public transport while synchronizing the alignment with upcoming national highway expansions to minimize the acquisition of private land. External development financing, including discussions on financing support with multilateral institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to cover about 60% of the project, along with joint capital contributions from central and state governments.

Published – 01 Oct 2026 06:15 IST