Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress of Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro projects at a meeting held in the Secretariat on Thursday.(Image: DC)
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress of Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro projects at a meeting held in the Secretariat on Thursday.
Andhra Pradesh government has already approved their Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), according to which the Vijayawada Metro will have a total length of 66 km while Visakhapatnam Metro will stretch to 76.90 km.
The Chief Minister focused on the funding model for the metro projects based on the 2017 Metro Policy.
As per the 2017 policy, central government would pay 100 per cent equity. The 16-km metro project initiated in Kolkata with an investment of ₹8,565 crore had been implemented under this policy.
Chandrababu Naidu told officials to initiate discussions with the central government to ensure similar support for the two metro projects in Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act includes provisions for metro projects. Thus, the central government must either follow this act or support the state under the 2017 policy.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to complete discussions with the central government and ensure that construction of the metros begins soon. He set a target of four years for completion of the metro services in both Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.
The officials explained that the metro projects will incorporate the double-decker model, where the metro line will run on top of a flyover, with roads below.
The first phase of the metro project in Visakhapatnam will cover 15 km from Madhurawada to Thatichetlapalem and four km from Gajuwaka to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant using the double-decker model. Similarly, in Vijayawada, the stretch from Ramavarappadu Ring Road to Nidamanuru (4.7 km) will be built as per the double-decker design.
Ministers P. Narayana and B.C. Janardhan Reddy and senior officials from relevant departments attended the review meeting. Metro managing director Ramakrishna Reddy presented an update on the status of the metro projects.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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