The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro rail projects, authorising the Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) to file a requisition for land acquisition under No. 3 of the A.P. Right to Fair Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules, 2014.

A memo to this effect was issued by Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration & Urban Development) S. Suresh Kumar on Monday, setting the stage for the execution of Phase-I of both metro projects. The government had previously approved the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in December 2024, and district collectors of Visakhapatnam, NTR, and Krishna have been directed to initiate land acquisition proceedings.

Land Acquisition and Project Scope The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail is estimated to require nearly 100 acres, while the Vijayawada Metro Rail will need 91 acres for its first phase. The anticipated cost of land acquisition stands at ?882 crore for Visakhapatnam and Rs 11.52 billlion for Vijayawada, highlighting the scale of investment required for these transformative urban transport projects.

Market Outlook With metro rail projects playing a crucial role in enhancing urban mobility and real estate growth, the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro corridors are expected to boost connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and stimulate commercial and residential development along their routes. The government's proactive approach in securing land underscores Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to modern urban infrastructure, reinforcing both cities as emerging economic hubs. As the projects progress, they are set to reshape public transport, attract investments, and enhance sustainable urban growth in the region.