Fresh DPR for construction of Outer Ring Road

Vijayawada: To find a permanent solution to the traffic problem being faced by Vijayawada city, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to take up the Vijayawada Outer Ring Road project from Gollapudi to China Avutupalli in Gannavaram on the outskirts of Vijayawada.

The ORR will be used for diverting vehicles passing between Hyderabad, Vizag and Kolkata. Vijayawada city has been facing traffic problems for more than three decades with passing of two national highways Hyderabad-Chennai and Chennai-Kolkata highways.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to call for tenders for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to construct the Outer Ring Road from Gollapudi to China Avutupalli in Gannavaram mandal.

Vehicles moving from Hyderabad towards Eluru, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata will be diverted at Gollapudi and pass via Kandrika, Nunna, Gunadala, Mustabada, Putushottapatnam and China Avutupalli. The 18 km stretch will reduce the traffic in northern parts of the city.

So far, the vehicles passing between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam are diverted via Gollapudi and passing via Kotturu Tadepalli, Milk project flyover, Inner Ring Road at Ajit Singh Nagar, Gunadala and Ramavarappadu Ring Road Junction. Vehicles passing from Eluru to Hyderabad are also move vice versa.

With the construction of Outer Ring Road (ORR) from Gollapudi to China Avutupalli, vehicles from Hyderabad to Vizag and Vizag to Hyderabad will pass via ORR on the outskirts of the city.

M Vidya Sagar, Project Director, NHAI, Vijayawada, told The Hans India that the department will invite tenders for preparation of DPR for the construction of ORR from Gollapudi to China Avutupalli. He said basing on the response of the contractors, the department will take further action on the allotment of works.  

Earlier, the NHAI had allotted the works to Gammon India Company for the construction of the ORR. The revenue department had paid the compensation to the farmers and acquired the land for the construction of ORR. 

The NHAI had also completed the demarcation also for starting the ORR construction works in 2011-12. But due to unknown reasons, the ORR works have not yet started. The NHAI cancelled the tenders of Gammon India holding them responsible for the delay in the execution of works.

The existing Inner Ring Road (IRR) between Jakkampudi and Ramavarappadu became part of the city due to construction activity gaining momentum along the 10 km stretch passing via Gunadala, Ajit Singh Nagar and Andhra Prabha Colony areas of the city.

The NHAI is already executing the Benz Circle flyover works at a brisk pace to resolve the traffic problem on Chennai-Kolkata highway near Benz Circle. The flyover works may be completed by November 2018. Benz Circle Junction is located on two highways- Kolkata-Chennai Highway and Vijayawada-Machilipatnam Highway.

By MD AMEEN