AMRC likely to start construction work of Vizag Metro in February 2019

Visakhapatnam (Urban Transport News): The Amravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) is all set to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the planned 42·5 km Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project in Andhra Pradesh in February 2019.

According to Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration & Urban Development Karikal Valaven, Foundation for the ₹8,300 crore Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project to be taken up in public-private partnership (PPP) is likely to be laid in February 2019 with a view to starting the metro operations by December 2023.

Valaven while speaking at a meeting with the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (VMRDA) on December 26 said that the Centre would contribute 10% of the anticipated project cost i.e. Rs 8300 crores. The Andhra Pradesh Government is expected to provide 51%, potentially through a loan from Korea Exim Bank. The remaining fund will be raised through a PPP concession which will include property development at sites surrounding several key metro stations.

The Amravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) will implement the entire project which includes three metro corridors serving 38 stations. Corridor 1 would run for 30·8 km from Kommadi to NAD Junction, with a subsequent extension heading southwest to Gajuwaka. Corridor 2 would run for 5·3 km from an interchange with Line 1 at Gurudwara to Old Post Office. The corridor would run for 6·5 km start from another interchange with Line 1 at Thatichetlapalem and run south to the main station before turning east to Chinna Waltair, intersecting Line 2 at RTC.

"More than 90% of the land required is already owned by the state government, and there should be no problem in acquiring the remainder. This includes the sites for the two rolling stock depots; one at Hanumanthawaka on the northern part of Line 1 and a second near the airport on land owned by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust", said NP Ramakrishna Reddy, Managing Director of Amravati Metro Rail Corporation.

In February 2018, AMRC has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to seek expression of interest from the contractors under PPP mode. In response to EOI, five companies have been shortlisted for the next round of bidding and are expected to submit their proposals by January 21, 2019. The names of these companies are Adani Enterprises, ESSEL Infraprojects, IL&FS Rail, Shapoorji Pallonji & Company, and TRIL Urban Transport.

Reddy said that all five companies have experience in developing major infrastructure projects through PPP mode, including airports, major roads and other metro lines.