Greenery vanishes on Vijayawada-Machilipatnam highway

Vijayawada: Vijayawada-Machilipatnam highway, which is once full of greenery with lush green trees, bushes and farm lands, is now looking barren as hundreds of trees and plants are felled for widening of the highway. It may take some decades to retain the greenery along the highway.

People of Krishna district particularly living in eastern Krishna district had been eagerly waiting for the widening of the existing highway. But, the roads are going on brisk pace at the cost of greenery.The Vijayawada-Machilipatnam highway passes through Penamaluru, Kankipadu, Vuyyur, Pamarru and Gudur mandals. The existing 100 feet highway would take the shape of a luxurious six-lane national highway in the coming years.

The road widening works also pose a great danger to the commuters travelling between Vijayawada-Machilipatnam. As part of the road laying works, both sides of the existing road are dug a meter deep. Unfortunately, no precautionary measures were taken for the safety of the commuters. There are no caution boards along the highway, to warn the people of danger posed. In case of accident, the road users may fall into one meter deep trenches dug either side of the highway.

In the absence of street lamps along the highway, two wheeler riders are facing problems aplenty in nights. In addition to the darkness, movement of heavy earth movers, trucks and tippers are posing a great threat to commuters. Rash and reckless driving of engineering college students is adding the woes of road users along the highway between Poranki and Vuyyur.

N Raghavendra a resident of Kankipadu said that life became miserable for the villagers, since the road widening works started. “Thousands of people from Kankipadu will visit Vijayawada every day for various needs and now they are facing many hardships due to dangerous conditions prevailed on the highway due to ongoing works,” he lamented.

Residents of Penamaluru and Vuyyur mandals are also facing similar problems. It will take two to three years to complete the mega road widening project. Till then greenery cannot be increased but road safety can, if stringent measure are initiated.