For years, the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada Metro projects stayed on paper. There were reports, announcements and political promises, but very little happened on the ground. Now, the projects have taken an important step forward, with the Centre starting the financial appraisal process.
The two Metro projects, covering 84.63 km at an estimated cost of ₹21,616 crore, are among the biggest urban infrastructure plans in Andhra Pradesh.
The timing is important too.
The Metro proposals have been around for years, but there was hardly any visible progress during the YSRCP government’s tenure. Even after the Detailed Project Reports were prepared, the projects did not move much.
After the NDA government came to power, the proposals were revised and sent back to the Centre. With the financial appraisal now underway, the State Government has also given in-principle approval to begin tendering for nearly 40% of the project cost. That shows the process is finally moving ahead.
If everything goes as planned, both Metro projects could make travel easier in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. They could also help bring more businesses, housing projects and commercial activity along the Metro routes, as seen in several other cities.
For the Chandrababu Naidu government, the Metro projects are part of a bigger push that includes Bhogapuram Airport, Amaravati and new highways. The government wants to show that long-pending projects are finally moving instead of remaining on paper.
There is still a long way to go. Final approvals, funding, land acquisition and construction will decide when people can actually travel by Metro.
But after years of waiting, the projects finally seem to be moving. For the people of Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, that is the biggest positive sign.
