The Metro Rail project in the city is likely to cost Rs. 7,500 crore in the first phase at nearly Rs. 288 crore per km according to project estimates.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project, and it will be submitted to the government by the end of March.

When the project was conceived, the VGTMUDA, which is replaced by the CRDA, had said: “Going by the experience in Hyderabad, the government will have to spend Rs. 300 crore per km to lay the elevated corridor for the project.” Previous experiences also point out that the project will cost not less than Rs. 160 crore per km.

The DMRC has prepared the design for a 26-km stretch covering both Bandar and Eluru Roads, connecting key junctions.

It has planned 21 stations, including one main station at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS). The authorities have also planned a metro coach depot at Nidamanuru.

The project was planned from Siddhartha College to PNBS on Bandar Road when it was conceived. However, the stretch has been extended to Penamaluru with a view to connect more sub-urban areas with the core city.

The DMRC is also conducting a feasibility study on connecting Vijayawada with Thullur, the proposed Capital area, through Metro Rail. It is also planning to construct a bridge on Krishna, connecting Vijayawada and Guntur in the first phase. Meanwhile, the authorities are planning another corridor near the Kanaka Durga temple.

A tunnel will come up near Indrakeeladri covering Kummaripalem before crossing Krishna. This stretch will connect Vijayawada and the new capital city.

The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) will spend Rs. 25 crore on the preparation of DPR.

A suburban transportation facility to link Vijayawada, Guntur and Tenali by high speed trains is also on the cards.

Apart from using the existing railway tracks, laying a dedicated track for the high speed rail corridor is being proposed. The new facility will be integrated with metro corridors proposed in the city and the capital region.

Metro expert E. Sreedharan said the proposed high speed rail was “cost effective” when compared to the metro rail.

It will cost Rs. 8 crore to Rs. 10 crore per km to set up the high speed train facility as against an estimated Rs. 160 crore per km for the Metro Rail.

The DMRC has prepared the design for a 26-km stretch covering both Bandar and Eluru Roads, connecting key junctions