Transport in Visakhapatnam

Last updated

Transport in Visakhapatnam is the network of roads, railways, rapid transit system in the largest city of Andhra Pradesh . The city of Visakhapatnam also serves as the central hub of transport and logistics on the East coast of India and hence it is called as City Of Destiny.

Contents

There are various modes of transportation available in Visakhapatnam. It includes auto rickshaws, bicycles to mass transit systems such as buses and trains. Visakhapatnam is also home for a Seaport and an International Airport.

Roadways

Siripuram Junction VUDA & HSBC Building.JPG
Siripuram Junction

Visakhapatnam is integrated into the National Highway Network of India through NH 16, NH 516C, NH 516D, NH 516E, while two State Highways SH38, SH39 originate/terminate in Vizag. Visakhapatnam has a vehicle population of nearly 12 lakhs and is the highest in the state.

The city has a total road length of 2,007.10 km (1,247.15 mi), covering 1,865 km (1,159 mi) of municipal roads, 70.10 km (43.56 mi) of Roads & Buildings department roads and 72 km (45 mi) of National highways. [1] There are several arterial roads and ten junctions in the city, [2] where Beach Road, Dabagardens Road, Dwarakanagar road, Sampath Vinayak Temple Road (also known as VIP road), [3] Scindia Road, [4] Chitralaya Road [5] and waltair Main road [6] are some of them. Jagadamba Centre, Maddilapalem Junction, [7] [8] Siripuram Junction, Madhurawada Junction, Gajuwaka Junction, Gopalapatnam Junction and NAD X Road are major junctions in the city.

There are plans to upgrade National highway NH 16 that is presently passing through city and shift it to newly constructing Anakapalle - Anandapuram Highway, so that unnecessary traffic passing through city can be regulated. [4]

Public transport

APSRTC Metro Luxury(A.C.) on Vizag roads Visakhapatnam Metroluxury.jpg
APSRTC Metro Luxury(A.C.) on Vizag roads
MVP Colony bus station at night Mvpcolonybusstand.jpg
MVP Colony bus station at night

Bus

Bus Transit is the major mode of passenger transport in the city. Within the municipal limits of the city, APSRTC plies nearly 600 City bus services in the region which serve lakhs of commuters in city daily from Dwaraka Central Bus Station Complex, Maddilapalem bus station, [9] MVP Colony bus station, Gajuwaka Bus station, [10] Simhachalam bus station, [11] Kurmannapalem bus station [12] and Madhurawada bus station.

Also APSRTC plies various interstate and distant buses from Dwaraka Central Bus Station Complex, Maddilapalem bus station, Simhachalam bus station and Madhurawada Bus Station to major parts of the State and neighboring states like Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. There are kinds of buses that ply in city namely:

Visakhapatnam Bus Rapid Transit System was completely operational. [13]

Cabs

Vehicle for hire companies serving localities daily are Ola and Uber, While Rapido gives rides for one person only. Private tour operators serve for commuting in major lines. Also there are Mini Vans that commute people from short and long distances ranging from 10 km to 100 km.

Others

Cycle rickshaws are only confined to a very small area of the city and are almost disappeared, which were one of the major means of transport. [14] Cycling paths are under construction in Vizag. By 2017, Vizag will be AP's first city to get such bike stations. [15] All India Bicycling Federation is planning to build 20-25 bicycle stations in the city, each hosting 25 bicycles. This project costs around ₹200 crore (US$24 million). GVMC plans to introduce a community cycling initiative over 10.5 km2 of roads in downtown Visakhapatnam, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. In the central parts of the city, cycling tracks will be earmarked on 100-feet roads to a width of about 8 feet. [16]

Railways

Train Transit is the major mode of transportation in the city, as the city is a hub for Major Industrial buildings, Employees and Goods are transported through trains. Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of South Coast Railway zone of Indian Railways. Visakhapatnam Railway Station is an A1 station with the highest gross revenue in the Waltair railway division. There are plans to modernize this railway stations under station modernization launched by union government. [17] Because present railway station is a terminal building and several constrains, Division has identified Marripalem as an option and is planning to make it an alternative for present station, that can bring trains ignoring city's main station. Other important railway stations in the city are:

Visakhapatnam Railway Station Visakhapatnam Junction Railway station.png
Visakhapatnam Railway Station
Vande Bharat at Visakhapatnam Brand New saffron Vande Bharat express for VISAKHAPATNAM.jpg
Vande Bharat at Visakhapatnam

Metro

Vizag Metro is proposed to be constructed in the city. GVMC has identified four corridors for mass rapid transit (MRT) covering a total distance of 75.3 km at an estimated cost of ₹15,933 crore. The first phase, extending over 46.40 km, is expected to be completed by 2025. They are Steel Plant to Kommadi junction covering a distance of 34.23 km, Gurudwara to Old Post Office covering 5.26 km, Tatichetlapalem to China Waltair covering 6.91 km and Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport, covering a distance of 28.91 km. [18] It is estimated to cost ₹15,933 crore (US$1.9 billion) for the construction of these corridors.

Tram

Govt of Andhra Pradesh has planned to build trackless tram services in Visakhapatnam for a length of 60.2 km. [19] This tram would be included in four corridors namely NAD X Roads - Pendurthi, Steel Plant - Anakapalle, Old post office - Rushikonda and Rushikonda - Bheemunipatnam.

Airways

A view of Visakhapatnam Airport Vizag airport terminal full view.jpg
A view of Visakhapatnam Airport

Visakhapatnam International Airport

Visakhapatnam International Airport, situated to the North-East of Andhra Pradesh, is the main gateway for the city's domestic and international civilian air traffic. In 2017–18, the airport handled more than 2.8 million passengers. Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Vijayawada, [20] Tirupati, Dubai, Singapore and Kuala Lampur are the major Airway destinations from city airport. Annually, 7.47 lakh passengers travelled on the Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad route, followed by 4.90 lakh passengers on the Visakhapatnam-Bengaluru. [21]

Bhogapuram International Airport

Construction of Greenfield Airport near Bhogapuram in 2,558 acres is on its way that could probably meet needs of Visakhapatnam city now. State government has handed over the construction process to GMR Airports Limited . [19]

Awards and recognition

Seaways

Visakhapatnam Port

Visakhapatnam Sea Port Cargo Ship and breakwaters.jpg
Visakhapatnam Sea Port

Visakhapatnam Port is one of 13 major ports in India and the only major port of Andhra Pradesh. It is India's second largest port by volume of cargo handled in the nation. [23] It is located on the east coast of India and is located midway between the Chennai and Kolkata Ports. [24] Visakhapatnam Port has three harbors - the outer harbor, inner harbor and the fishing harbor. The outer harbor has 6 berths capable of handling vessels with a draft up to 17 meters while the smaller inner harbor has 18 berths that are Panamax compatible. Vizag Seaport owns two berths in the inner harbor; berth EQ-8 is fully mechanized and berth EQ-9 berth is not. Iron ore, manganese ore, steel products, general cargo, coal and crude oil are the main commodities handled at this port.

Visakhapatnam Port is undergoing a modernization and expansion program aimed at increasing its capacity to 130 million tonnes by 2016–17, entailing an investment of ₹13,000 crores. This will also solve the problem of air pollution caused by the open handling of coal that had earlier led to citywide protests.

The Visakhapatnam Port Trust plans to develop a satellite port at Bheemunipatnam to decongest traffic at Visakhapatnam. The project is expected to cost ₹2,000 crore (US$240 million) and is to be undertaken through a Public- Private Partnership (PPP)venture. Also govt plans to have a new port at Nakkapalli. [25] [24]

Gangavaram Port

Another major port in Visakhapatnam is Gangavaram port which is considered as deep port. It can handle vessels up to 2,00,000 DWT. The Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) which runs the Vizag Steel Plant had shifted base to this port, taking with it a large chunk of the coal and iron ore traffic.

Passenger

Cruise Shipping is operational between Visakhapatnam and Andaman and Nicobar islands. [26] There are plans to launch cruises to Kakinada. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakhapatnam</span> Metropolis in Andhra Pradesh, India

Visakhapatnam is the largest and most populous metropolitan city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is the second largest city on the east coast of India after Chennai, and the fourth largest in South India. It is one of the four smart cities of Andhra Pradesh selected under the Smart Cities Mission and is the headquarters of Visakhapatnam district. With an estimated output of $43.5 billion, it is the ninth largest contributor to India's gross domestic product as of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bheemunipatnam</span> Place in Andhra Pradesh, India

(MP = Sri Bharat Bheemunipatnam, is a suburb of Visakhapatnam, India. The town was named after Bhima, a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It formerly administered under the Bheemunipatnam municipality, but merged into GVMC in 2017. It is currently under the administration of Bheemunipatnam revenue division and the headquarters is located at Bheemunipatnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation</span> Indian state bus operator

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, officially Andhra Pradesh Raastra Roadu Ravaana Samstha, is the state-owned road transport corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Its headquarters is located at NTR Administrative Block of RTC House in Pandit Nehru bus station of Vijayawada. Many other Indian metros & towns in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and Chhattisgarh are also linked with the APSRTC services.

Pedagantyada is a neighbourhood in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. It is one of the 46 mandals in Visakhapatnam District. It is under the administration of Visakhapatnam revenue division and the headquarters is located at Pedagantyada beside Gajuwaka. The Mandal is bounded by Mulagada and Gajuwaka mandals. It is a major Suburb in Visakhapatnam and got merged in Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation in 2005. Organisations like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and Gangavaram Port are located in this area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Andhra Pradesh</span>

The economy of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is primarily dependent on agriculture, which directly and indirectly employs 62% of the population. GSDP as per the first revised estimate, for the year 2023-24 is ₹15,40,000 crore. The state is ranked 1st in the country for the year 2021-22 in terms of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth at constant prices with growth rate of 11.43%. The state GSDP is expected to grow at a rate of 17% for the year 2023-24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakhapatnam Bus Rapid Transit System</span>

Visakhapatnam BRTS :-The implementation of the bus rapid transit system has been taken up as a high-capacity public transport system in Visakhapatnam keeping in view the projected multi-fold increase in traffic and constraints of road capacity. A Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) was approved for the city under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. This project was started in 2008 and most of the route has been constructed except for a 2km stretch near Simhachalam. The delay is due to issues in land acquisition from railways, defence and private parties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakhapatnam railway station</span> Railway station at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam Junction is an important railway station located in Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It has eight platforms with 508 trains passing by everyday. It is on the Howrah–Chennai main line and is being operated by East coast Railway. It may be administered under the South Coast Railway zone by Indian Railways after some time. Originally named the Waltair railway station, it was founded in 1896. It was renamed as Visakhapatnam junction in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madhurawada</span> Neighbourhood in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Madhurawada is a major business and residential area of Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram stretch of National Highway 16 around 16 km from the city center of Visakhapatnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MVP Colony</span> Neighbourhood in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Muvvala Vani Palem Colony, known as MVP Colony is an urban neighborhood in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam and it was once Asia's largest residential township with a population of more than 70,000. The colony is divided into 12 sectors.

Andhra Pradesh is well connected with various destinations in India, as well as other countries. It has road, rail, airways. With a long coast of Bay of Bengal and many sea ports, it flourishes in sea trade as well. The state has one of the largest railway junctions at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Port being one of the largest cargo handling seaport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddilapalem</span> Neighbourhood in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Maddilapalem is an area of Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gopalapatnam</span> Neighbourhood in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Gopalapatnam is a neighborhood in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. The neighborhood is considered to be the major residential and commercial area in the district. It is located within the jurisdiction of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for the area's civic amenities. It is located on the western fringe of Visakhapatnam. The Visakhapatnam gas leak occurred in the neighborhood on 7 May 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arilova</span> Neighborhood in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Arilova is a residential area of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the north fringe of Visakhapatnam city with hills surrounding on opposite sides. It is located beside Kailasagiri. Arilova is a Part of GVMC Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for the civic amenities in Arilova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation</span> Local civic body in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is the civic body that governs the city of Visakhapatnam, largest city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Its jurisdiction encompasses an area of 640 km2 (250 sq mi). It is also part of the planning body of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Established in the year 1979, the executive power of the GVMC is vested in the Municipal Commissioner, an Indian Administrative Service officer appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The position is held by Saikanth Varma. Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari (YSRCP) was elected as the Mayor and Jiyyani Sridhar (YSRCP) as the Deputy Mayor by the newly elected general body in March 2021. In January 2021, the number of wards were increased to 98 from 81 earlier.

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (ASRIA) (also known as Bhogapuram Airport) is an international airport and a greenfield airport under construction at Bhogapuram in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region. The airport is operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited. The airport is named after Indian Independence revolutionary and freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Visakhapatnam</span>

Visakhapatnam is a major metropolitan city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and it holds the distinction of being the largest city in the state. The rich history of Visakhapatnam dates back over 2,500 years, with its present name potentially given by the Eastern Chalukyas king to their family deity Visakha in 1010 CE. Visakhapatnam was once part of the Kalinga Kingdom around 260 BC before coming under the influence of the Maurya Empire. During this period, Buddhism flourished, leading to the construction of significant monuments between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. The city's documented existence begins in 1068 CE, under the rule of King Vishakhavarman. In the 7th century, Visakhapatnam witnessed the conquest of the Eastern Chalukyas, and by the 14th century, it became part of the Reddi Kingdom. The era of European colonization commenced in 1630 with the Dutch, followed by the British taking control in 1757 after a brief interlude of French influence. The Battle of Vizagapatam in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars emphasized the strategic importance of the city. Following India's independence in 1947, Visakhapatnam became part of the Madras Presidency, later becoming an integral part of Andhra Pradesh. Today, it stands as the largest city in Andhra Pradesh, playing a pivotal role in the state's economy. The city's industrial growth saw a transformative phase with the inauguration of Visakhapatnam Port operations on December 19, 1933, firmly establishing it as a major industrial centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Vizianagaram</span>

There are various modes of transportation available in Vizianagaram and its Neighbourhoods. It includes auto rickshaws, bicycles to mass transit systems - such as buses, trains and flights.

The 22701 / 22702 Visakhapatnam–Guntur Uday Express is a Double-decker AC chair Car train of the Indian Railways connecting Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. It is currently being operated with 22701/22702 train numbers on five days a week. It operates at an average speed of 55 km/h.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Administration of Visakhapatnam</span> Municipality in India

The Administration of Visakhapatnam officially started in 1803, with the municipality of Visakhapatnam being established in 1861. Currently, it is known as the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). Its total area is 681 km2 (263 sq mi) with 98 wards and 8 zones. The mayor is elected by corporators who are representative of their wards.

References

  1. ↑ "GVMC". Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "GVMC e-newsletter" (PDF). Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. p. 5. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  3. ↑ Ganguly, Nivedita (12 January 2017). "City roads chock-a-block ahead of Sankranti". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Upgradation of NH16". Times of India. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Rao, V. Kamalakara (20 November 2016). "Shops exchanging torn currency notes make it big". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "AECOM to prepare DPR for smart streets". The Hindu. 1 February 2017. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  7. ↑ "Land issues delay revamp of Maddilapalem RTC bus station". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  8. ↑ Patnaik, K. M. P. (29 March 2017). "Dangerous decibels". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  9. ↑ Gopal, B. Madhu (20 June 2016). "Integrated bus terminal soon in city". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  10. ↑ "RTC special buses for beach walkers". The Hindu. 16 December 2016. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  11. ↑ Rao, V. Kamalakara (4 September 2016). "APSRTC launches 50 city buses on seven new routes". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "RTC has to wait for new buses in Visakhapatnam". Deccan Chronicle. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "BRTS to be fully operational from Oct. 2". The Hindu. 14 September 2016. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "Traditional rickshaws struggle to survive". www.thehansindia.com. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  15. ↑ Mehta, Sulogna (5 February 2017). "Visakhapatnam to get Andhra Pradesh's first public bicycle sharing station". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  16. ↑ Sarma, G. V. Prasada (24 February 2012). "Vizag set to become cycle-proud". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  17. ↑ "Visakhapatnam One Among 20 Railway Stations To Be Developed By Malaysia".
  18. ↑ "Vizag Metro Rail project to be completed by 2028". The Hindu. 26 October 2020. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Trackless tram in Vizag". 3 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "Flight Schedule Search". trujet.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  21. ↑ M., Manish (6 April 2017). "hyd bengaluru delhi: Vizagites often fly to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi & Chennai". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  22. ↑ "National Awards 2011-2012". Andhra Pradesh Tourism. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  23. ↑ "Competition shakes up Visakhapatnam port". HT Mint. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 Patnaik, Santosh (15 March 2015). "Vizag Kakinada cruises soon". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  25. ↑ Patnaik, Santosh (28 August 2012). "VPT to finalise consultantfor satellite port at Bhimili". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  26. ↑ "Cruise Shipping".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.