Visakhapatnam: Vizag Metro Rail, the jewel in the crown of city projects, is set to become a reality as preparatory work kicked off on Tuesday with the maiden visit of ‘Metro man’ E. Sreedharan to the city of destiny.
E. Sreedharan, principal advisor to the state government on Metro rail projects, visited the city to observe the proposed corridors and ground reality to start various studies as part of the preparation for the Detailed Project Report.
He announced that the project would be completed in the next 3-4 years, which includes preparation of feasibility studies and DPR.
He interacted with GVMC and Vuda officials and also gathered basic information from civic officials on how to approach fresh studies on traffic, geo-technical, environment and topography issues as part of preparing the DPR for the initial 30km stretch.
Vizag and Vijayawada would have elevated or overhead metro rail systems instead of the underground ones, as they cost less, indicated “metro man” Mr Sreedharan.
Elevated railways are usually constructed in urban areas where there are a large number of level crossings.
“Vizag and Vijayawada have common parametres. We have identified two corridors for Vijayawada for an initial 27-km-long stretch where we had done preliminary studies. Procurement of train, and electrical system are common for both the cities. Wide roads, conflict-free BRTS are helpful,” he said.
The UG metro would cost around Rs 500-Rs 550 crore per kilometre and the elevated routes just about half of that at around Rs 200-Rs 220 crore per kilometre.
The GVMC proposed earlier Gajuwaka to NAD junction, Gajuwaka to railway station, Hanumanthwaka to Tagarapuvalasa, and Maddilapalem to NAD junction corridors.
The DMRC team has now to finalise the practical and feasible corridors in Vizag, with the Central Business District (CBD), which is the commercial heart of the city, and commuting volume in busy areas, in mind. “We will prepare first, second and third phases of Vizag project keeping in view future needs based on various technical studies. We are engaging experts from Delhi, who often visit the city and guide the local project officials. 10 projects are under construction, three are operational and one is going to be prepared shortly and one is in progress in the country. Feasibility studies will be completed for Tirupati initially,” he said.
Financial sustainability, fare structure, type of technology, electrification system, procurement of train, coaches and other parameters will be decided once the DPR is completed.
Mr Sreedharan said they would consider intensity of previous cyclones in the region and design the corridors according to the standards stipulated.
