Visakhapatnam Metro Project Stalls as Centre Seeks Revised Plan
The proposed Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project continues to remain stalled even after nearly ten years, with key approvals still pending and no construction work having started on the ground.
The project, planned along National Highway-16 and expected to be extended up to Bhogapuram Airport in phases, is facing delays due to changes in design, funding issues, and land acquisition hurdles.
Officials said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by the State government has not yet been cleared by the Centre. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have begun a fresh joint survey to review alignment and technical feasibility.
The metro corridor requires about 99.75 acres of land, including 9.5 acres of private land in densely populated areas such as Tatichetlapalem and Chinawaltair. Earlier estimates placed compensation at around ₹882 crore, to be borne by the State government.
Due to financial constraints, the requirement has now been reduced to 7.5 acres of private land, bringing the compensation estimate down to nearly ₹600 crore. Landowners have opposed compensation through Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) and are insisting on cash payments.
Officials said the project can move forward only after the State releases ₹600 crore for land acquisition. Only then can surveys, alignment finalisation, and design approvals proceed.
In a setback for the project, the Centre has also rejected the proposed double-decker model, which envisaged a four-lane road at ground level with a metro rail line above it along NH-16. The Centre has advised against using untested designs and has asked for a revised DPR.
For now, the project remains at the planning stage, awaiting both financial clearance from the State and fresh technical approval from the Centre.