Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project will be launched as early as possible: UJM Rao, MD, APMRC

Visakhapatnam, India (Urban Transport News): Metro rail is emerging as green and preferred sustainable mode of urban commute in India and it defines the city’s development and economic growth, said UJM Rao, Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (APMRC) on April 8, 2022.

The PPP-VGF (Public-Private Partnership) modal is one of the financial models suggested for new metro projects under the Metro Rail Policy-2017 and Andhra Pradesh Government is actively pursuing the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project to launch it as early as possible under the PPP-VGF model, he said at a program held at GITAM Deemed to be University.

Rao was delivering an expert lecture on ‘Metro Rail- The Economic Growth Engines of Urban India’, jointly organized by the GITAM School of Technology Civil Engineering Department and The Institution of Engineers (I) India, at the GITAM campus. 

"At present, 60 metro projects in 29 cities are either in operation (or) under construction (or) under approval. Metro rails are the MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit Systems). Metro Rail is known for safer, faster, and more comfortable public transport. Rao has given a presentation describing the advantages of Metro Rail. Metro rails are known for facilitating people’s safe, quick and easy movement and the National Metro Rail Policy has also advised the cities with a population of 20 lakhs or more to look for rapid transit systems," he said. 

Further, he added that the system would generate sizable employment during the construction stage and also when operational in the form of O&M staff.

"The metropolitan cities in the world recorded far higher GDP after metro rail implementation. Metro rail has seen substantial growth in India in recent years, and the rate of growth is going to become twice or thrice in the coming years," he added.

GITAM civil engineering department head Mukund said Metro Rail Projects are essential in the fast-growing Indian cities and feeder services have to be provided as the last mile connectivity for more public patronage and for achieving higher ridership. GITAM School of Technology dean Mr. C Vijayasekhar, Vice Principal Venkateswara Rao, Institution of Engineers India GITAM student chapter student coordinator Chandan Kumar, senior faculty members were present in the largely attended gathering of engineering students from civil, mechanical and electronics disciplines.