The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has asked Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to integrate Amaravati metro rail project comprising Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS)-Nidamanur and PNBS-Penamalur corridors with Thullur in Guntur district on a priority basis.
A detailed survey for it encompassing environmental, topographic, traffic potential and other factors is likely to be taken up once the government decides through which the third corridor (extension of one of the two corridors to Thullur) should pass. It could be either underground or an elevated line.
The Government appears to be inclined to make it an extension of PNBS-Penamalur corridor. The idea is to take it through Gollapudi, said Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation (AMRC) DGM Panduranga Rao.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Panduranga Rao said that the State Government's request was conveyed to E. Sreedharan, advisor for Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam metro railway projects. He is going to take stock of the progress that has so far been made, in a high - level meeting scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on November 26.
Meanwhile, the AMRC has written to the GoAP to acquire 30 hectares of land for the project sites excluding the proposed depot - cum - workshop at Nidamanur. The process is likely to be completed by March.
Marking has been completed in PNBS - Nidamanur and tenders are about to be called for PNBS - Penamalur corridor. A Detailed Design Consultant being identified through tendering, will give exhaustive designs for the project. On its part, the State Government has earmarked Rs. 300 crore for the project in its annual budget.
“The Amaravati metro will be in compliance with the same exacting standards that have won global acclaim for Delhi metro, which is one of the only three profit - making metro rail projects in the world, the others being Bangkok and Singapore metros”, Mr. Panduranga Rao observed.
