New tunnel on the anvil in the city

Vijayawada: The state government is planning to construct a new tunnel in Vijayawada city from Gunadala to Mogulrajapuram or Bhavanipuram to One Town. The new road connectivity would reduce traffic snarls while it can also create alternative road network system.

The local body officials and experts in the respective wing would jointly workout the new roadway. Already, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has invited the global tenders in this regard at an estimated project cost of Rs 200 crore.

As per plans, the new tunnel would be constructed by taking suggestions and designs from international consultants. Indeed, the citizens are facing challenges to move on the city roads following the construction of capital city Amaravati.

The traffic has been increasing due to development works. In this backdrop, the state government entrusted road expansion work and formation of new road connectivity work, including tunnel construction, to the local body authority.  

As part of new plans, the local body officials identified hills in the city between Mogulrajapuram and Gundala stretch and Bhavanipuram and One Town which are creating traffic hurdles. The hills also doubled the journey time from Eluru Road to Bandar Road-bus station stretch.

Similarly, the citizens have to turn around the hill to reach from One Town to Bhavanipuram. The VMC initially proposed to construct two tunnels in the two stretches but now would complete at least one on a priority basis. The journey time could be reduced nearly 20 minutes in the two respective stretches.

Senior consultant of private agency K Subba Rao said that former MP the late KL Rao had suggested the tunnels for reducing the traffic in the city. He recalled that the existing Chittinagar tunnel was constructed by suggestions of KL Rao. He hoped that the new tunnel would be helpful to commuters.