This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2023) |
Visakhapatnam Metro Rail | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Locale | Visakhapatnam |
Transit type | Rapid transit |
Number of lines | 3 |
Number of stations | 31 |
Operation | |
Operation will start | 2028 |
Operator(s) | Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd |
Technical | |
System length | 140km (80km-metro and 60km-tram) |
Visakhapatnam Metro is a planned rapid transit system for the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The system is proposed to reduce traffic congestion as well as providing a modern and efficient public transport system in the city which became the largest city and the main hub for economic activity of Andhra Pradesh after the state's bifurcation. [1] It will be the only Indian city which will have a combination of both metro and tram. Once constructed it will be the world's largest metro prepared in a PPP model. Initially proposed for Metro Rail alignment for a length of 42.55 km in the city. Now, Government have planned to expand the Metro Rail system to cover more routes in the city as well as in the VMRDA (Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Regional Development Authority) area.
Accordingly, a detailed project Report is under preparation for 79.9 km length of a light metro rail system and for 60.2 km length of a modern catenary-free tram system. In December 2023, The Govt. Of Andhra Pradesh has approved the DPR for Vizag Metro Rail Project.
A metro rail project has also been planned by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to stop chaotic traffic congestion on the streets. After the proposal was submitted by the GVMC in February 2014, the Urban Transport Department gave in-principle approval for going ahead with feasibility studies and DPR. On 25 June 2014, the GVMC called for global tenders for a detail project report to be prepared for a 25 km stretch based on traffic density. The government came with a new plan of having a large metro project with a length of 80 km from Vizag Steel Plant to Bhogapuram, where a new international airport is going to be developed by GMR group. Other lines that have been planned are:
The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail system is proposed in AP reorganization act.[ citation needed ]
The stations would have state of the art designs with both pleasant exteriors and interiors. All stations would have good connectivity to neighbourhood areas. The stations would be built to standard codes and conforming to NFPA 130 norms for fire safety. All stations would be equipped with escalators and lifts for passenger movement. Passenger safety would be ensured by CCTV cameras, X-ray machines for baggage scanning, human scanners, fire safety system, station signage, public display and announcement system. The stations would be provided with all amenities to make it commuter-friendly.
The environmental friendly metro rail services of “Visakhapatnam Metro”, are currently being designed and developed to make it as eco-friendly as possible, to ensure the carbon print levels become ‘zero’. Greenery is planned alongside the track all the way through to make it more pleasant. Harvesting day natural lighting by installing Solar PV panels at station roof tops, depots boundary walls, service building's roof tops, parking shelters, on viaduct etc. so as to make self-sustainability for electric general services. The Solar energy from ‘Metro Grid’, if surplus, could be spared to other organisations also. The stations would be designed to meet Platinum rating criteria as per Indian Green Building Council norms. Several Energy Conservation measures such as use of Regenerative braking in the trains to produce traction energy which would result in lower emission of Green House of Gases (GHG), using Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive for escalators and elevators, LED lights in station premises, use of Energy efficient equipment for Environment Control System etc.
The latest digital services would be adopted in providing services to the metro commuters. Automatic Ticket Vending (ATV) machines, LED Glow Signage boards, One Start-to-End smart travel cards for hassle free and seamless travel and a metro app, for any information on Metro are a few to mention. However, infusing technological updates has no end and is a continuous process.
Eight stations viz. Kommadi, Madhurawada, Railway station, Dwaraka Bus station, Gajuwaka, Saraswati circle, R.K Beach (Chinnawaltair), Steel plant Jn. station have been initially identified for developing in the station premises, so that the commuters (as well as the city public of all ages) could visit and do one-stop shopping. Entertainment zones, a multiplex, mini auditoriums and daycare centres are a few possibilties in the list of futuristic plans.
The Government planned to give a much needed fillip and boost to the tourism sector in and around the Visakhapatnam area, which is the second biggest tourism revenue earner in the state, seconded by Tirumala - Tirupati. In the 32 km long beach line spreading from Vizag Old post office to Bheemili, there are many beach resorts, amusement parks, historical tourist places, one of Asia's largest zoos and many more.
The entire stretch has important recreation points like Dolphins Nose, Ramakrishna Beach, MatsyaDarshini Aquarium, INS Submarine Museum, Aircraft Museum, Visakha Museum, Tarakarama VUDA park, Lumbini park, Kailasagiri –Ropeway & Toy Train, Thinneti beach park, Thotlakonda Buddhist Shrine, GITAM University, Indira Gandhi Zoological park, Rushikonda Beach, IT Hills, Erradibbalu, Bheemili Beach - Speed boat riding and scuba diving. Each one of them is like a diamond pendent that needs seamless connectivity to rope in. The modern catenary-free tram system is being planned to connect all of these places.
When it comes to metro services and planned ridership, multimodal integration of all means of transportation at metro stations is essential to success. It is therefore meticulously planned to make feeder services available at all times. Parking zones will be adequately provided for the feeder services at all important stations. In order to prevent commuters from losing time and money at important stations, Get-Set-Ride e-cycles, e-rickshaws, tied up metro cab/auto rickshaw services with minimum fixed fare for the commuters are planned.
The proposed Light Metro Rail corridors are:
The Modern Tram Ways are:
Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, Viśākha or Waltair, 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.
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.
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.
Pendurthi is a neighbourhood in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. The neighbourhood is considered as the major residential and commercial area in the city. It is located within the jurisdiction of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for the civic amenities in Pendurthi. It is located on the west fringe of Visakhapatnam city. Pendurthi is one of the peaceful neighborhoods of Vizag.
Bengaluru Suburban Railway is an under construction suburban rail network for the city of Bangalore. A Suburban Rail system for the city was first proposed in 1983. Since then, several different route proposals were made but no Suburban Rail project took shape. It was finally approved in the 2019 Railway Budget.
Kurmannapalem is an Urban neighbourhood area of the city of Visakhapatnam, India and belongs to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. It has a population of 60,588 and forms part of the Visakhapatnam city under Gajuwaka Revenue Mandal.
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 JNNURM. This project is under construction and will be completed by the end of 2010. The BRTS intends to increase use of public transport from the present share of about 30 per cent to 50 per cent by 2011.
Urban rail transit in India plays an important role in intracity transportation in the major cities which are highly populated. It consists of rapid transit, suburban rail, monorail and tram systems. According to a report published in 2021, a total of 2.63 billion people travelled annually in metro systems across India's sixteen major cities, placing the country as one of the busiest urban rapid transit hubs in the world in terms of ridership. The combined length of 895 kilometres of metro systems in India makes it the fourth longest in operation in the world.
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.
Bheemili Beach is located at the origin of the Gosthani River, at a distance of 24 km from Visakhapatnam in Visakhapatnam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The beach reflects the British and Dutch settlements of the 17th century.
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.
Vijayawada Metro is proposed light rail transit system in the Indian city of Vijayawada. The system is proposed to reduce traffic congestion in the city and consists three corridors which will be constructed in 3 Phases. Phase-I will be covering 24.5 kilometres (15.2 mi), phase-ll will cover 12.5 kilometres (7.8 mi) and phase-lll will cover 28 kilometres (17 mi). The project is estimated to cost approximately ₹15,000 crore or 1.7 billion USD. It was proposed in the form of a light metro which would consist of 3 coaches.
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.
GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport is an international airport and a greenfield airport under construction at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of Visakhapatnam.
Rushikonda Beach is located in Visakhapatnam on the coast of Bay of Bengal in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The beach is maintained by the state tourism board, APTDC.
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.
The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is the urban planning agency of Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was formed by expanding the existing Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA). The VMRDA administers the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region, spread over an area of 7,328.86 km2 (2,829.69 sq mi) and covers the districts of Visakhapatnam,Vizianagaram and Anakapalli. It was set up for the purposes of planning, co-ordination, supervising, promoting and securing the planned development of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region. It coordinates the development activities of the municipal corporations, municipalities and other local authorities.
The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC) is a public sector company in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India headquartered in Visakhapatnam, that operates the Visakhapatnam Metro and Vijayawada Metro. Initially, it was incorporated as Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of the Vijayawada Metro Rail project. Later, the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project was added to the list. It was first proposed as a Mass Rapid Transit System in VGTM UDA, which was later changed into Amravati Metropolitan Region Development Authority (AMRDA).
Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) is an urban transport consultancy company to develop sustainable urban mobility methods and solutions. It focuses on planning, designing, project management and implementation supervision of urban transportation projects. It was founded on 13 April 1993 as a partnership between Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS).
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.