Metro Rail project crawls at snail’s pace
Project works which will start in 2016, are expected to be complete by 2020.
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-12-31 07:21 GMT
Visakhapatnam: The Vizag Metro Rail project, which was proposed even before the state bifurcation amid much fanfare, has failed to make any visible progress. The detailed project report (DPR) approved by the state government for the Vizag Metro project is to yet be ratified by the Union government. Fast tracking the Metro works in Vijayawada, the state government formed Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation months ago and already kick-started the tender process. But, no Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been established to entrust the responsibilities of planning and execution of Vizag Metro works.
Speaking to DC, a GVMC official, who has been coordinating with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), said, “The state Cabinet has recently approved the Vizag Metro DPR and it was forwarded for the scrutiny of the Union Government. It would take another 1-2 months before getting the administrative nod.” When asked how the land acquisition process could impact the pace of works, the GVMC official explained, “Other than the stretch of 12 km of two corridors, there would be not much effect as there were wide medians on the NH, which covers 30 km of the project.”
GVMC commissioner chief Pravin Kumar explained that they are striving to complete the works of some stations of Vizag Metro project in 2016 itself. After forming the special purpose vehicle, the government has to go ahead with land acquisition and call for tenders of the construction works. The project works, which will be started in the 2016, are expected to be completed by 2020.
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