New flyovers mooted in city

Visakhapatnam: Over 6,000 new vehicles are coming on to the roads every month in the city, hence, citizens have been facing tough times to reach their destinations during the peak hours.

As the Central and State governments are not looking at the alternative arrangements for a smooth traffic, pedestrians particularly at various locations are facing tough times to cross the roads. The people from all walks of life are wasting one hour in the traffic snarls to reach their destinations.

The present national highway is passing in the city from Kurmannapalem to Madhurwada. The state government identified that six flyovers (Hanumanthawaka, Maddilapalem, Satyam Junction, NAD Sheelangar, Gajuwaka and Kurmannapalem) are required to control the traffic.

However, except NAD Flyover, (works started) there is no progress in other flyovers. The VUDA also identified to construct some foot-over-bridges and pathways to provide easy passage to pedestrians. Due to lack of the funds, no proposal took off.

The Vizag Development Council (VDC) met Visakhapatnam MP K Haribabu on Wednesday and urged to pursue with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning of Rs 1,000 crore for easing the city congestion along the National Highway passing in the city.

“We explained the immediate need to improve the traffic conditions in the city for which, the city needs Rs 1,000 crore to construct six flyovers, FoBs and pathways. Every year, 72,000 vehicles coming on to the roads and three lakh vehicles added only in the past four years.

It is expected another four to five lakh vehicles may come on to the city roads in next five years alone in addition to the existing vehicles. Addition of one million vehicles on the city roads in about 10 years and raise in vehicles every year leads to heavy traffic congestion at important junctions,” O Naresh Kumar, Chairman VDC, said.

Many people are working at NTPC, Steel Plant, Duvvada SEZ and Pharma SEZ and Textile SEZ and if the people wish to move from the city to the airport, which is under construction at Bhogapuram, it would take at least one-and-a-half hours’ time due to the busy junctions and signals.  

“With addition of a million vehicles and more jobs, it would take at least one hour only for intersection crossings in addition to actual travel time. It is high time to construct flyovers at the identified locations. The VDC urged MP K Haribabu to ask Nitin Gadkari for sanction of funds,” Naresh Kumar said.

Meanwhile, people coming from Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Bhogapuram and new residential townships at Madhurawada and IT Centres in the city will face troubles, if the traffic problems are not solved, the VDC said.