Vijayawada: National Highway authorities are speeding up work on the Benz Circle flyover at Fakeergudem and said that work on the underpass would start in a couple of days.
The updated plan to provide underpass was approved by the Centre after inspection by a team; hence the National Highway Authority of India started the implementation of the updated plan. As of now, NHAI officials are busy in completion of drawings of the underpass.
Benz Circle flyover construction works have been going on at a snail’s pace and are still incomplete after four years of work.
The authority has tried to expedite work on the flyover approach road at either end of the flyover for the few months. However, residents of Patamata Lanka and other areas have objected to the construction, demanding an underpass.
They also complain that they have to go towards Benz Circle, an endeavour that is being described as unnecessary, and an additional two to three km, just to take an U-turn to enter the opposite side of the road.
This demand got political overtures as nearly two lakh people living at Patamata, Yanamalakuduru, Patamata Lanka and Ramalingeswara Nagar have been supported by the local leaders. Presently, the manoeuvre leads to traffic disturbance at peak timings.
The Left parties have jumped into the fray, and are participating in the protest demanding the underpass. Vijayawada West MLA Gadde Rammohan also extended support to the protesters.
District collector A. Md. Imtiaz also visited and discussed the issue with the residents and also with NHAI, R&B officials and the traffic police. He suggested an underpass and asked the contractors to complete the flyover as early as possible.
CPM city secretary, East Zone, B. Nageswara Rao said that without proper plan and acquisition of the required land, the NHAI officials started work.
He said that the authorities have to now acquire land for the feeder road. Mr Rao said that they objected to the flyover works demanding underpass as nearly two lakh people would be affected.
