AP Fast-Tracks Land Acquisition For 2 Metros

Visakhapatnam: After advising the GMR Group to make Bhogapuram International Airport operational by June, 2026, six months ahead of schedule, the TDP-led government has decided to fast-track metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada envisaged with an investment of Rs 22,500 crore.

As per revised DPR, Visakhapatnam metro rail is proposed over a stretch of 46.23 km in the first phase. Vijayawada metro rail is being proposed for 38.4 km. Governor S Abdul Nazeer in his address to the budget session of AP Legislature had stated that the metro rail project in Visakhapatnam will be completed by 2029. Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (APMRCL) has been authorised to file a requisition for land acquisition under AP Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency and Resettlement Rules, 2014. District Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Krishna and NTR have been directed by Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration S Suresh Kumar recently to initiate land acquisition process. Official sources told Bizz Buzz that while 100 acres is required for Visakhapatnam metro rail project, Vijayawada needs 61 acres.

As the construction work on the Bhogapuram Airport, which was awarded to L&T Construction as the EPC contractor, is progressing at brisk pace and the Amaravati development works being revived with massive investments, the State Government is already facing pressure from various quarters to address the connectivity issues without dilly-dallying. The metro rail projects, which were conceived even before bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh, were lying in cold storage due to political and other reasons.

After the general elections and installation of the NDA coalition, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held several rounds of meetings with the central officials. During his Delhi trip on Thursday after interacting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a book release function here, he urged Union Minister for Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar and urged him to sanction 100 per cent funding for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro rail projects.

Sitharaman had promised wholehearted support for all-round development of Andhra Pradesh, when Naidu told her that AP had been put on a ventilator during the erstwhile regime and now after bringing the State from the ICU, development works are gaining pace with the support from the Government of India.

According to CMO, the Chief Minister discussed with Manohar Lal Khattar the urgency to take up work on metro rail projects for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada saying these projects are crucial for reducing traffic congestion, fostering economic growth, and improving urban mobility in Andhra Pradesh.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasised the urgent need for expediting approvals and securing central support. He submitted a detailed note outlining the significance of these projects in enhancing infrastructure and addressing urbanisation challenges. He also highlighted the disparity, noting that Hyderabad’s metro rail was approved before bifurcation, while Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada projects still remain pending.

Naidu pointed out that Visakhapatnam, a key industrial hub, faces increasing traffic congestion. With the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport set to be operational by June 2026, integrating the metro corridor with NH is critical. The first phase aims to connect major urban hubs, with an extension planned to the airport.

As the gateway to Amaravati, Vijayawada’s metro project is essential for strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic growth. The Chief Minister urged the prioritisation of the project to meet the city’s growing transportation needs and citing financial constraints post-bifurcation, sought 100 per cent central assistance for the twin metro rail projects.