Vijayawada: Flyover work hits traffic

VIJAYAWADA: Recommissioning of Kanakadurga flyover works brought traffic snarls back on the Hyderabad highway. With the presence of heavy machinery on the original route, the traffic is getting affected at frequent intervals. Though the light-motor vehicles like cars, autos and bikes are still allowed on the original route, many commuters are choosing the alternative route to get past the city.

The alternative route that goes through BRP Road, Kothapet, Vagu Centre, Chittinagar and Tunnel Road in the One Town area is also witnessing heavy traffic. The heavy vehicles have already been diverted on this route and many of the light-motor vehicle commuters are also choosing this route now as the flyover construction works are causing inordinate delays. As the traffic from Vijayawada Bypass Road merges at Chittinagar Junction, it has become a major bottleneck.

Also at the Sitara Junction, where the traffic from Kabela Road is getting merged, is further slowing down the traffic. Though regular police monitoring was placed to avoid traffic jams, they are being shifted to other duties whenever and wherever needed, mostly for VVIP route-clearing and other special programmes. The narrow and clumsy route which has many junctions all along became chaotic as the vehicular traffic is getting flooded.

Flyover works set to be delayed:

The Kanakadurga flyover works are set to be delayed further with additional component works added by the state government. The changes to the original design proposals were yet to get the approval of the high-power committee of the National Highways Authority of India. The state government has sent two changes of scope approvals to the NHAI out of which only one has been approved. The retaining wall constructed at Krishnalanka area was not part of the original plan and the NHAI agreed to take up this work with an estimated cost of Rs 8.75crore.

Later, the state government has sent another proposal with an eye on riverfront development. Officials have sent fresh proposals seeking to construct a shopping complex near the Minicipal Corporation office by constructing slab structures instead of wall-filling at the landing of the flyover. This latest proposal is yet to get the approval from the NHAI. The cost estimates are about 12 per cent of the total cost of the project. If this additional component is approved, the 12 per cent of additional time also has to be given to the contractor.

Without the additional component of the works the flyover construction being approved, it  is likely to get delayed as only 40 per cent of the works have been completed till date. Superintending engineer John Moshae said that 60 per cent of the work have to be done. With the current pace at which the works are going on, it is most unlikely to finish the work within the stipulated time. As the work has been stopped for Krishna Pushkaralu and Dasara celebrations the contractor is asking for extension of time to compensate the days wasted.