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The Centre has directed the Andhra Pradesh government to update the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) submitted with the Visakhapatnam metro rail project proposal. The CMP is essential for the projects appraisal and approval by the Union government.
The state government proposed a 76.9 km light metro rail project in Visakhapatnam, estimated to cost nearly ?14,300 crore, under a public-private partnership model. Since the CMP was initially prepared in 2018, the state has been asked to revise it to reflect current conditions and requirements.
The CMP is a foundational document for evaluating and approving transport projects like metro rail, BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System), and feeder networks. The previous CMP outlined a multi-faceted urban transport strategy aimed at creating a sustainable, low-carbon, and safe transportation network to support Vizag’s economic growth. It included assessments of traffic and transportation needs based on current and future demands, as well as population growth projections.
The earlier plan proposed acquiring over 2,000 buses (700 in the short term), adding two new BRTS corridors to the existing 42 km network, and redesigning streets with improved signage and road markings. It also recommended footpath facilities across a 360-km road stretch, a public bike-sharing system, segregated cycle tracks on 286 km of roads, and a transit-oriented development plan.
Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) prepared the 2018 CMP, incorporating data from traffic surveys, household surveys, and roadside interviews conducted between 2016 and 2017.
AP Metro Rail Corporation Limited Managing Director UJM Rao stated that the CMP’s general validity is five years. "The CMP for Vizag was prepared about six years ago. After being asked to update it, we have made minor revisions. We will submit the revised CMP to the Union government, and no further changes are needed," Rao said.
The CMP’s key objectives include integrating land use and transport, enhancing accessibility, increasing public transit usage, improving non-motorized and pedestrian facilities, and reducing pollution. It also includes proposals for investing in public spaces, traffic management, and technology deployment. |
