The Andhra Pradesh coalition government is making hectic efforts to meet the key issues proactively with an eye on developing Amaravati as the capital of the state and building transportation infrastructure. Recently, the state government has proposed to the Centre seeking support in the form of aid similar to what was received by Kolkata, and everyone is waiting for the reply.
The Andhra Pradesh government is proposing metro rail projects both in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, requesting the central government to sanction ₹42,362 crores. For Vijayawada, this works out to ₹25,130 crores, while ₹17,232 crore in the case of Visakhapatnam, to be paid by the state exchequer for acquiring lands. This strategic approach was a commitment by the state government to modernise these cities’ transportation facilities.
Project reports for metro initiatives were earlier submitted to the central government but had been returned seeking modification as the projects were prepared against old operational guidelines. The revised budget for the metro projects has been estimated to be at ₹42,362 crore, which include three corridors in Vijayawada and four in Visakhapatnam. Andhra Pradesh government has committed to sanctioning ₹2,799 crore for acquisition of 258 acres of land to be required for the above projects.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is leaving for Delhi on the 17th and 18th of this month. In this visit, personally submitting the metro project proposals of the state to the PM with an emphasis on finalising the funds required on those projects, the key event in the infrastructural ambition of Andhra Pradesh may have an opportunity to step up connectivity for its own residents.