The Andhra Pradesh government has proposed a revised plan to develop the metro and tram projects in Visakhapatnam.

According to the revised plan, the extended section of the Visakhapatnam subway project will extend from 42.55 km to 80 km, and will be developed in two phases in 2024. In addition, a new 60-km long rubber-tired tram project will be introduced into the city to ease public transport connections in low-density areas. The total investment for these two projects is estimated at Rs 1.6 trillion.

Ramakrishna Reddy, Managing Director of Amarawathi Metro Corporation (AMRC), said that the Urban Rail Transit Company (UMTC) has carried out detailed transportation from Anacapar to Bogaraprum the study.

We recommend subways in areas with high traffic. We plan to provide trams where there is less traffic. The detailed project report (DPR) will be completed within six months, and basic work is expected to begin within 10 to 12 months.

Reddy added: "Once implemented, the 80-kilometer-long subway project from the steel mill to Bhogapuram Airport will become the largest of its kind in the world."

Sources said the Andhra Pradesh government is currently seeking a consultant to prepare a detailed project report for the subway and tram projects. Trams are considered an alternative to subway projects and can ease the government's financial burden.

The idea is to minimize government spending by providing concessions and land to executive companies. Despite the financial difficulties, I am confident to make the project the most feasible. We can transform what was originally considered the least viable Hyderabad International Airport (Shamshabad) into the most economically viable airport.

The state government is very keen to develop rechargeable trams, with a total length of 60 kilometers, consisting of three corridors, namely NAD to Pendurthi, Steel Works to Anakapalle, and Old Post Office to Bheemili via Rushikonda on The Beach Road.

According to a rough estimate, the cost of the tram project is Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.2 crore per kilometer. Like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, the government also plans to rename Amaravati Metro to Andhra Pradesh Metro to implement the state's future metro projects. (Please refer to www.seetao.com for reprinting)Editor / Huang Lijun