Transit-Oriented Redevelopment of the Dwaraka Bus Station: Feasibility Study

Executive Summary

The purpose of this project is to study the feasibility of redeveloping Visakhapatnam’s Dwaraka Bus Station, also

known as the RTC Complex, and the adjacent administrative offices of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) into an improved bus station, new GVMC administrative offices, and new mixed-use transit-oriented development. In addition to strengthening an important intermodal transit hub, the project is meant to create unique cosmopolitan public space, civic, entertainment and commercial destinations that reinforce the heart of a growing Visakhapatnam.

Transit-oriented redevelopment of the Dwaraka Bus Station is an important step in realizing the Smart City Vision for Visakhapatnam. At its most basic level, the project demonstrates key smart infrastructure and development principles such as:

�Bringing people to services while at the same time bringing services to people

�Prioritizing system retrofits over redevelopment or greenfield expansion

�Cultivating resilient, networked systems to build capacity and reduce vulnerability.

The RTC Complex includes 2.68 hectares (6.7 acres) in the heart of central Visakhapatnam. The complex currently acts as a bus transfer hub connecting intra-city routes with regional inter-city service. The site is located between VUDA Central Park, GVMC headquarters, the City’s water distribution hub and a thriving retail district. At present the RTC Complex consists of a perimeter bus loop, central terminal and ticketing facilities, and vending and accessory services. The Ambica Building, located along the northern edge of the site, has been leased by a jewelery retailer for the near term. The upper floors of the terminal structure have been vacant for many years.

In addition to improving inter-city and local bus service, there are significant opportunities to connect to future rapid transit services including enhanced BRT bus-ways and MRT connections

throughout the city and to the planned Bhogapuram Airport. BRT bus-way corridors converge at the site creating a convenient link between distant communities, the RTC Complex, Madipalem Bus Depot and the train station. These bus-ways are proposed to be enhanced as part of a separate Smart City project.

A concept plan has been developed in consultation with the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transportation Corporation (APSRTC) and GVMC for the redevelopment. The new transit operations will be located on a lower level, including 40 intercity bus bays, seven local bus bays, parcel services and associated commercial space, ticketing, waiting and pedestrian space.

The terrace level above will include mixed-use development and public space amenities. The 1,035,000 square foot development will include office space, service apartments, hotels, retail, cinema and performing arts venues, civic space and GVMC offices. The public terrace will connect pedestrians to all transit services and provide a cosmopolitan setting for social events, dining, shopping and civic gatherings.

This USD 120 million project is anticipated to be completed through Public-Private-Partnership between APSRTC,GVMC, and the real estate development community.

AECOMVISAKHAPATNAM TRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AECOM VISAKHAPATNAMTRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 1 Urban framework for Central Vizag and the prominence of the RTC complex site.

Figure 2 Connectivity of planned rapid transit enhancements relative to the project site.

AECOMVISAKHAPATNAM TRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 3 Section B-B’ depicting the relationship between the transit level and the upper level circulation.

Figure 4 Site plan depicting proposed transit facilities at lower level.

AECOM VISAKHAPATNAMTRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 5 Site plan depicting proposed Terrace Level development.

AECOMVISAKHAPATNAM TRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 6 Artist’s illustration looking at development from northwest.

Figure 7 Illustrative massing diagram looking southeast.

AECOM VISAKHAPATNAMTRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Figure 8 Artist’s illustration depicting the potential character of the terrace level in activity area A.

Figure 9 Artist’s illustration depicting the potential character of the terrace level in activity area C.

AECOMVISAKHAPATNAM TRANSIT-ORIENTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DWARAKA BUS STATION: FEASIBILITY STUDY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PROJECT BACKGROUNDThe AECOM team, including partner firms IBM and KPMG, is carrying out the assignment “Smart City Master Planning + Sector Specific Smart City Infrastructure Plans for Visakhapatnam” on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh (USTDA financing). With a view to promoting the development of Visakhapatnam (“Vizag”) into a smarter city, the assignment includes baseline analysis, formulation of a development strategy and guidelines, preparation of a smart city master plan, and feasibility analysis of smart city projects. The work is being completed over three 5-month phases, as follows:

�Phase I – Baseline, Smart City Development Strategy and Action Planning for Two Smart City Projects (March 2016 – August 2016)

�Phase II – Preparation of the Smart City Master Plan

�Phase III – Implementation Plan and Feasibility Studies for Four Smart City Projects

CONTACT INFOFor more information about this project, visit www.smartvizag.in or contact John Bachmann at john.bachmann@aecom.com

domestic tourist visits in Indian beach cities

Vizag is

#1Andhra Pradesh ranks

in Direct Tax Incentivesamong Indian states

#1

(83 m2/person v. 27 m2/person)

open space per capita compared to San Francisco

Vizag has

3x cleanest city in India(2016 Swachh Bharat rankings)

Vizag is

#3

Andhra Pradesh ranksin “Ease of Doing Business” among Indian states

#2 in publicly accessible coastline

Vizag and San Francisco

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