How Metro Rail Projects in Andhra Pradesh can act as Economic Growth Engines for the state

 By UJM Rao, IRAS, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, (An SPV of State Govt established for the purpose of implementation of Metro Rail Projects in the State)

Andhra Pradesh is the 8th largest State in India located in the East Coast with a long coastline of 974 km length. The State with abundant natural resources, mostly untapped until now, is developing at a fast pace in the bifurcated New State scenario.

The new State, despite losing a very high GDP earning Hyderabad city to Telangana, is still enjoying the 4th position in All India Ranking among major States in India. The GDSP of Andhra Pradesh was $ 154.62 Billion USD (2019-20). The average GDP growth rate of past 5 years is at 8.5%, while the All India Growth Rate remained at 6.4%.

The Government have been working vigorously on tapping the available natural resources to fully exploit them for achieving a still higher economic growth and development. Government of India is extending their unstinted support to the bifurcated State fulfilling its commitments given under AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada are the two largest cities in the State in population and area as well. Government of Andhra Pradesh has therefore planned to establish a robust and the most Modern Public Transportation system, the Metro Rail in these cities on priority.

In Visakhapatnam, a 76.90 Km network of Metro Rail System comprising of four Corridors is coming up in the City. It, being a most patronised tourist and pilgrim centre in the State after Tirumala-Tirupati, a Catenary Free Modern Tram System has also been planned in the 32 km length of Beach Corridor connecting sixteen tourist spots along the beach alignment and also another 28 Km on two fast growing suburban corridors linking at Metro Junction Stations.

In Vijayawada, a 38 km Metro Rail Network has been planned covering the International Airport and the important city areas.

In view of moderate ridership assessed in these Tire 2 cities during the next 30 horizon years, a Light Metro Rail System instead of Medium Metro Rail System has been adopted similar to those operational in Germany, France and other European Cities.

The Light Metro Rail System is more economical and less costly by 15% – 20% than Medium Metro Rail System in the initial Capex, thus working out to an average cost of Rs. 186 Crs per Km as against Rs. 245 Crs per Km. There would also be sizable savings in recurring Opex.

Visakhapatnam City

Visakhapatnam is the largest city in the State of Andhra Pradesh with a population of 4.1 million in the City and its urban agglomeration together. The City is also the financial capital of Andhra Pradesh accredited with the rank of 10th Richest City with GDP of $ 43.5 billion. The City, being the largest and centrally located on East Coast Corridor between Kolkata and Chennai, is the destination for not only the people of Andhra Pradesh but also for Southern Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh regions for their Educational, Medical and Business needs. It therefore generates high volumes of floating population to the city.

The City has an International Airport, Two major Sea Ports, Largest patronised Railway Station in the Zone and the highest passengers serving Central Bus Terminal in the State. The city is the second highest tourist revenue earner, only next to Tirumala- Tirupati with 21 Pilgrimage and Tourist places. The City also has many Central Govt. Establishments like Eastern Naval Command HQ, Hindustan Shipyard, a major Steel Plant Etc,.

The City is an Educational Hub with 3 famous Universities, National Academy (IIM), 3 Medical, 34 Engineering, 78 Management, Arts & Science colleges and 300 Coaching Centres. It is a Medical Hub with 20 Multi Speciality Hospitals and 98 Private Nursing Homes. An Industrial Hub with 14 Major Industries, 3 SEZ/ Industrial Clusters, Software Companies and 900 SME units. District Headquarters with all State Administrative offices in the City.

As such, the City is well deserved for a robust Mass Rapid Transportation System- the Metro Railway System in the wake of huge volume of commuters not only of the City but also equal number of floating people daily visiting the City for various purposes.

A detailed project report for Visakhapatnam Metro Rail System at a Project completion cost of Rs.14,309 Crs is ready and the Government is mulling over the appropriate financial model i.e., whether PPP-VGF Model or some other model for fast implementation of the project.

The following are the corridors for a total network of 76.90 km.

1. Corridor-1: Steel Plant to Kommadi – 34.40 km
2. Corridor-2: Gurudwara to Old Post office – 5.07 km.
3. Corridor-3: Tadichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair – 6.91km.
4. Corridor-4: Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport – 30.67 km

A Catenary Free Modern Tram System has also been planned in the City along the Beach corridor as the city and its surroundings have 21 highly patronised tourism places. This Modern Tram system is planned in the under mentioned 3 Corridors for a total length of 60.20 Km. Efforts are being made to include the latest state of art Rolling Stock and the Operating System from France or other countries. The cost of the Project is estimated to Rs.5987 Crs and another Rs. 247 Crs for Land acquisition, R&R and environmental management.

1. Corridor -3: Old Post office to Bheemili beach – 33.03Km
2. Corridor -1 NAD Junction to Pendurthi – 10.31 Km
3. Corridor -2: Steel Plant Gate to Anakapalle – 18.40 Km

Vijayawada City

Vijayawada is the second largest city with a population of more than 2 million and is growing fast in the recent times. The city is situated in the banks of Holy River Krishna and is famous for Kanakadurga temple drawing a large crowd of pilgrims from all over the Country. The City is known as the “Rice Bowl of Andhra Pradesh”, by virtue of one of the highest rice producing districts in the Country. The city is also famous for Automobile and Agro industries besides a major wholesale business hub. The city is centrally located in Andhra Pradesh and well connected by Road, Rail and by Air from all directions of the Country.

The Government have therefore planned for establishing the Modern Metro Rail System for a total length of 38.4 Km consisting of the following Corridors. The cost of the Project is estimated to Rs.9078 Crs and another Rs. 1185 Crs for Land acquisition, R&R and environmental management.

1. Corridor -1 Gannavaram (Airport) to PNBS: – 25.9 Km
2. Corridor -2 PNBS to Penamaluru: -12.45 Km

The construction of the said Metro Rail Projects are planned to be taken up shortly and to complete in 4-5 years’ period (2022-2027).

Our aim and vision…

Public Transportation is one of the essential amenities to be provided by the Government for people’s fast commuting and communication. This would help in the inclusive growth and overall economic development of the vicinity

Visakhapatnam and its Urban agglomeration with about 4.0 million and Vijayawada with more than 2 million population deserves a robust and sophisticated MRTS, the Metro Rail System for the people’s fast, safe, reliable, efficient, comfortable, convenient, pollution free and affordable transportation. The Modern Tram services we proposed to establish in the tourism rich beach corridors and in the fast growing suburbs would boost up the tourism as employment opportunities. We are striving hard to bring the planned projects into operations as early as possible