Vijayawada: No movement by the government on flyover extension

Vijayawada: Almost eight months on, there is no movement by the state government on the Centre's of permission on the proposed extension of the Benz Circle flyover. If extended, the flyover will go a long way in providing solution to the frequent traffic jams on the Benz Circle-Ramesh Hospitals stretch. In April 2016 the Union road transport ministry had turned down the request to extend the flyover up to Ramesh Hospitals Junction saying that a bypass will be constructed as part of Vijayawada-Gundugolanu section of National Highway (NH)-16.

Only two junctions — Benz Circle and Nirmala Convent — are covered under the present flyover, while the third major junction is a stone's throw away. Some feel that having a smooth ride over the flyover and then getting caught in a jam just after it ends will serve no purpose. The extension will increase the flyover length by only 800 metres, MP Kesineni Srinivas says.

The Union minister, however, said that the flyover length has already been increased from 162 metres (as approved in August 2011) to 618 metre as per site condition. Further, a bypass was being constructed to divert the truck traffic from city. Hence, it was not required to extend the flyover, he said. The government feels that widening the existing road at the foot of Indrakeeladri hillock would not solve the problem entirely, the second option of a flyover from Bhavanipuram to Krishna Lanka fire station also has its limitations.