# Ex-MP Kesineni Nani calls Vijayawada Metro a waste of money 2026-08-22T18:34:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Former Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani has said the proposed Vijayawada Metro Rail project, estimated to cost around Rs 12,000 crore, is not worthwhile and that the government should first focus on basic urban infrastructure. In a series of social media posts, Nani argued the project may take 10 to 15 years to complete and could eventually cost up to Rs 24,000 crore. Nani listed several areas needing urgent attention, including round-the-clock safe drinking water, pothole-free roads, underground drainage, stormwater systems, flood prevention, uninterrupted power supply, street lighting, sanitation, garbage collection, pedestrian pathways, and better public transport. He also stressed the need for improved government hospitals, schools, parks, public spaces, traffic management, parking, public toilets, and infrastructure for women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He questioned whether spending about 25 per cent of the proposed Metro cost on such basic infrastructure would be a better way to develop Vijayawada into a modern, inclusive city, or whether proceeding with the Metro Rail project is the better option. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This is not the first time a major infrastructure project in Andhra Pradesh has faced cost and priority questions. The state's fiscal constraints make any Rs 12,000 crore-plus commitment significant, especially when basic civic amenities remain inadequate in many urban areas. The metro's viability will depend on ridership projections, which are uncertain for a city of Vijayawada's size and density. The state government will need to weigh the long-term economic benefits of mass transit against immediate public pressure for basic services. The next signal to watch is whether the state budget allocates fresh funds for the metro or diverts them to the infrastructure Nani highlighted. ## Coverage - greatandhra.com The article reports Nani's social media posts and arguments without adding editorial judgement or favouring any side. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Kesineni Nani, Vijayawada, Vijayawada Metro Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ex-mp-kesineni-nani-calls-vijayawada-metro-a-waste-of-money/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ex-mp-kesineni-nani-calls-vijayawada-metro-a-waste-of-money/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/