The Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) has cleared the way for joint venture participation in the upcoming tenders for Phase 1 of the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada metro rail projects. The decision allows a maximum of three contractors to form a joint venture (JV) and submit a single bid under the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process, aimed at encouraging wider participation from capable firms.
Officials stated that the move is intended to increase competition and ensure timely project execution. APMRCL Managing Director NP Rama Krishna Reddy explained that two or three contractors will be permitted to collaborate on a single bid. This mirrors practices adopted in other major metro projects across the country, where JV participation has been used to accelerate delivery.
The corporation has also emphasized its goal of making both projects operational within the targeted timeframe, citing delays and cost escalations that have hindered metro projects elsewhere. Reddy noted that while JV participation has been permitted, the request from some bidders to split the works into multiple smaller packages was rejected. According to APMRCL, breaking the projects into smaller contracts could lead to coordination challenges, prolonged execution, and higher costs.
Phase 1 of the Visakhapatnam metro will span 46.23 kilometres, while the Vijayawada metro will cover 38 kilometres. Together, they represent two of the largest urban transport infrastructure projects in the state. The tenders issued cover civil works valued at about 40% of overall project costs.
The projects have been planned with an execution window of 35 to 40 months, targeting completion and operational rollout by 2028. APMRCL has invited bids from firms with proven track records in executing large-scale transport and infrastructure projects, underlining its focus on capacity and credibility.
The last date for submission of bids has been fixed as October 10, 2025, for the Visakhapatnam metro and October 14, 2025, for the Vijayawada metro. Officials clarified that no extensions will be granted beyond these deadlines, as the corporation is keen to adhere to its project rollout schedule.
The decision to permit JVs is expected to enhance participation from both domestic and international contractors, ensuring access to advanced technology, engineering expertise, and financial strength. By consolidating bidding power, APMRCL hopes to attract stronger proposals, reduce execution risks, and maintain financial discipline.
The two metro projects are considered vital for improving urban connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, with Visakhapatnam positioned as a fast-growing industrial and commercial hub, and Vijayawada serving as a key administrative and transport centre. Together, the projects are expected to ease traffic congestion, improve last-mile connectivity, and support sustainable urban growth in the state.
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