About 75-km metro, 60-km tram corridors proposed in Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam city is gearing up for a significant transportation upgrade. The Andhra Pradesh Government has set its sights on constructing metro rail in Visakhapatnam, aiming to address the city's growing transportation needs. As per 2021 estimates, Visakhapatnam has a exceeding 25 lakh. If suburbs where the metro rail has been planned are included, the population exceeds 41 lakh.

With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's efforts to position Visakhapatnam as the center of administration after Dussehra, enhancing the city's public transport system has become a priority. The introduction of a metro rail is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and save valuable time of commuters. The State Government plans to lay the foundation stone for the metro rail works on January 15, 2024.

The ambitious project entails the construction of four corridors featuring 42 metro stations in its initial phase:

1. Corridor-1: Spanning 34.40 km, it extends from Steel Plant Gate to Kommadi Junction.

2. Corridor-2: Covering 5.07 km, it connects Gurdwara to Old Post Office.

3. Corridor-3: Encompassing 6.75 km, it runs from Tatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair.

In the second phase, a 30.67 km Corridor-4 will be developed, linking Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport. These four corridors collectively will establish 54 stations and two depots, creating a comprehensive metro network in Visakhapatnam.

Not just metro, but trams too

Notably, plans extend beyond just the metro rail. A tram corridor along Beach Road has been identified, aiming to connect major junctions with developing areas. This tram system will encompass a total distance of 60.05 km, with four corridors envisioned for the modern tram network. One corridor will stretch from Coastal Battery to Bhimili, while another will link the steel plant to Anakapalli. Furthermore, a tram corridor is proposed from NAD Junction to Pendurthi.

These transportation initiatives are poised to usher in a new era of connectivity and convenience for Visakhapatnam residents and commuters, aligning with the city's aspirations for growth and development.