The double-decker system will have two transport networks — on the first level, a flyover for motor vehicles and, on the second level, the Metro Rail. Both the levels will be on a single pier. Representational
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) is likely to convene a board meeting on September 19 to discuss the recent developments pertaining to the metro rails coming up in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
According to reliable sources, the board meeting will take a final decision on dividing the projects into multiple packages to allow wider participation.
The corporation had initially planned to package the two projects together, and hand them over to a single contractor. However, the bidders have reportedly urged the APMRCL to consider dividing the projects into multiple packages.
Recently, the corporation had revised the last date for submission of tenders. For the Visakhapatnam Metro, the last date was extended to October 7.
“On September 19, the board members will discuss the issues related to the two metro projects. In the last pre-bid consultation meeting, 13 contractors from across the country participated. There are expert contractors to build metro projects in the country. At present, about 990-km of metro rail projects are operational, while 900-km of metro lines are under construction. We will start the Phase-1 of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail first,” an APMRCL official told The Hindu on Sunday (September 14, 2025).
The Phase-1 of the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail has been divided into two sections — a 20-km-long double-decker system and a 26-km-long metro rail system. The double-decker will be divided into two parts — the first for 15 km, from Car Shed Junction (PM Palem) to Thatichetlapalem and the other for 5 km, from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (entrance) to Gajuwaka.
The double-decker system will have two transport networks — on the first level, a flyover for motor vehicles and on the second level, the Metro Rail. Both the levels will be on a single pier (pillar).
This unique double-decker system will be built at a cost of ₹2,000 crore, which is in addition to the total estimated cost of ₹11,498 crore for the first phase. The land to be acquired is about 99.75 acres, and its estimated cost, as per current records, is about ₹882 crore. This will also be in addition to the total cost.
As part of the land acquisition process, a Social Impact Assessment (SIAF) has been conducted. The land requirement includes nine acres of private land and 87 acres of government land.
The Beijing-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) had sent a two-member team to Visakhapatnam in June this year to express interest in providing 60% finance for the Vizag Metro project. The remaining will be shared by the State and Central governments.
Published – September 14, 2025 08:26 pm IST
