CMP for Vizag metro rail project to be revised soon
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

CMP for Vizag metro rail project to be revised soon

Simhachalam BRTS Metro Rail Corporation Ltd is set to update Visakhapatnam's comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) following a request from the Union government. This update is seen as critical for advancing the proposed metro rail project, as the original CMP, developed in 2018, has a validity of five years. Given the changes in traffic volumes, mobility demands, and infrastructure needs, a revised plan is essential not only for the metro rail project but also for other public transportation improvements, including bus routes, metro feeder services, road network expansions, and new route alignments.

The update’s primary aim is to increase the share of public transport usage from 40% to between 50% and 55%. To support this goal, the plan will address missing links in the road network to distribute traffic more evenly across major routes. Key areas include the Simhachalam BRTS corridor connected to NH-16, as well as routes through NAD, Lankelapalem, Sontyam-Anandapuram, Peda Narava, Gangavaram-Tallapalem, and the Gajuwaka bypass. Past studies identified NAD junction as the highest traffic point, with 3.57 lakh passenger car units daily, while peak hours at major intersections such as Birla Junction and YSR Stadium account for around 10% of daily traffic.

A metro rail corporation source confirmed that the CMP update would proceed as requested by the Union government. The source noted that with the updated CMP’s five-year validity, it would facilitate smooth planning and execution of the metro rail project.

In the previous CMP, service level benchmarks were categorised across four levels (LoS 1-4), with LoS 1 indicating the best service. Visakhapatnam's public transport, primarily managed by APSRTC, achieves 100% organised coverage, though with a low availability rate of 0.29 per 1,000 residents, resulting in an LoS of 2. Average waiting times for buses, ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, are graded as LoS 3, while overall public transport coverage over 250 km of the 643 sq km city area also reflects LoS 3.

Pedestrian infrastructure is graded at LoS 2, with only 23% of the surveyed network featuring paved footpaths, and many intersections falling short on pedestrian wait-time standards. Non-motorised transport facilities score poorly, with an LoS of 4, while intelligent transport system utilisation remains low, marked by limited traffic surveillance (8.84%, LoS 4) and unsynchronised signals. Average travel speeds are 28 km/h for personal vehicles and 18 km/h for public transport, both yielding an LoS of 2.

Simhachalam BRTS Metro Rail Corporation Ltd is set to update Visakhapatnam's comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) following a request from the Union government. This update is seen as critical for advancing the proposed metro rail project, as the original CMP, developed in 2018, has a validity of five years. Given the changes in traffic volumes, mobility demands, and infrastructure needs, a revised plan is essential not only for the metro rail project but also for other public transportation improvements, including bus routes, metro feeder services, road network expansions, and new route alignments. The update’s primary aim is to increase the share of public transport usage from 40% to between 50% and 55%. To support this goal, the plan will address missing links in the road network to distribute traffic more evenly across major routes. Key areas include the Simhachalam BRTS corridor connected to NH-16, as well as routes through NAD, Lankelapalem, Sontyam-Anandapuram, Peda Narava, Gangavaram-Tallapalem, and the Gajuwaka bypass. Past studies identified NAD junction as the highest traffic point, with 3.57 lakh passenger car units daily, while peak hours at major intersections such as Birla Junction and YSR Stadium account for around 10% of daily traffic. A metro rail corporation source confirmed that the CMP update would proceed as requested by the Union government. The source noted that with the updated CMP’s five-year validity, it would facilitate smooth planning and execution of the metro rail project. In the previous CMP, service level benchmarks were categorised across four levels (LoS 1-4), with LoS 1 indicating the best service. Visakhapatnam's public transport, primarily managed by APSRTC, achieves 100% organised coverage, though with a low availability rate of 0.29 per 1,000 residents, resulting in an LoS of 2. Average waiting times for buses, ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, are graded as LoS 3, while overall public transport coverage over 250 km of the 643 sq km city area also reflects LoS 3. Pedestrian infrastructure is graded at LoS 2, with only 23% of the surveyed network featuring paved footpaths, and many intersections falling short on pedestrian wait-time standards. Non-motorised transport facilities score poorly, with an LoS of 4, while intelligent transport system utilisation remains low, marked by limited traffic surveillance (8.84%, LoS 4) and unsynchronised signals. Average travel speeds are 28 km/h for personal vehicles and 18 km/h for public transport, both yielding an LoS of 2.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Saudi Aramco Eyes India’s Refining Sector for Strategic Partnerships

Saudi Aramco has renewed its interest in India’s expanding refining sector, viewing it as a strategic growth opportunity. With Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) planning new refineries, fresh investment avenues are opening up for the Middle East’s largest oil exporter. Although the company has not confirmed specific investment plans, it reiterated that India remains a priority market. Saudi Arabia was the third-largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2024, exporting 625,000 barrels per day. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, In..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Kandla Deendayal Port Handles 150 MT in FY25

The Kandla Deendayal Port Authority (KDPA) has achieved its goal of handling 150 MnT of cargo in the financial year 2024–25, marking a key operational milestone. The update was confirmed by Chairperson Sushil Kumar Singh. The final figure stood at 150.16 MnT , and Singh credited the achievement to the collaborative involvement of stakeholders, including exporters, importers, shipping and customs agents. KDPA collected suggestions from port users and swiftly implemented changes to boost productivity and efficiency, addressing operational bottlenecks within existing constraints. Singh empha..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Square Port Shipyard, Damen Partner to Boost Shipbuilding in India

Square Port Shipyard, a subsidiary of Hazoor Multi Projects Limited (HMPL), has signed an agreement with Damen Technical Cooperation BV to develop its shipyard in Dabhol (Ratnagiri), Maharashtra. The partnership aims to enhance the shipyard’s capabilities to design, build, repair, and maintain ships for both domestic and international clients. Damen Technical Cooperation BV is a part of the Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group NV, known globally for its shipbuilding expertise and advanced maritime solutions. Company officials described the tie-up as a significant milestone towards trans..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?