Vijayawada West Bypass to be opened by February

DASARI SRINIVASA RAO
Vijayawada

Vijayawada West Bypass from Chinna Avutapalli to Gollapudi, which is under construction, will be opened using to traffic within three to four months. At the request of the State government, the Central government sanctioned the 30-km stretch of the six-lane bypass worth Rs.1,128 crore. The construction works are progressing at a brisk pace.

Once the Vijayawada West Bypass is opened, traffic congestion will be eased in Vijayawada because heavy vehicles from Hyderabad to Kolkata will not have to enter the city then. Heavy vehicles will travel on the bypass and enter China Avutapalli on the National Highway. The new bypass will link NH 65 and NH 16 to reduce the traffic problems in the city.

According to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials, Vijayawada West Bypass Package -3 works were entrusted to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (Meil) and about 80 per cent of the works have been completed. The officials expect that the bypass would be opened by the end of February 2023.

The State government has acquired about 450 acres of land from farmers for the construction of the Green Field Highway. Around 800 employees and labourers are working hard to complete the Vijayawada West Bypass in the stipulated time.

Due to the non-availability of land for changing high-tension electricity lines, some of the farmers have not given consent to give away their lands for the road project and the bypass road construction is delayed. In 12 areas, the high-tension lines will be changed. Once the electricity line works are completed, the Vijayawada West Bypass can be opened within three months, NHAI authorities said.

The sources said that two flyovers at Chinna Avutapalli and Gollapudi were completed, and two Rail over Bridges (RoB) at Marlapalem of Gannavaram in Krishna district, and Gollapudi near Vijayawada were under construction on the main line of Visakhapatnam – Vijayawada.

Also, two major bridges at BB Gudem of Gannavaram on the Gannavaram – Agiripalli road and at Budameru on the Gollapudi–Jakkampudi road were also completed, the sources said.

Two Truck Lay Bays to facilitate drivers
The NHAI authorities have proposed two ‘Truck Lay Bays’, of which one will be constructed at a ninth km from Chinna Avutapalli, and the second one will come up at 19th km on the Vijayawada West Bypass. Keeping the heavy traffic from Hyderabad and Kolkata, the authorities proposed these Good Truck Lay Bays while the drivers can take a rest. The work agency is constructing restrooms, and toilets to facilitate truck drivers and cleaners.

Also, a Toll Plaza will come up at 13th km from the side of Chinna Avuatapalli between Nunna of Vijayawada Rural mandal and Mustabad of Gannavaram mandal. After the completion of the new Toll Plaza, the Pottipadu Toll Plaza will be removed, the sources said. If the Green Field Highway comes into use, about 25 km distance will be decreased from Hyderabad Visakhapatnam Tam.

Package-4 works under construction
However, package-4 works from Gollapudi in the NTR district to Chinakakani in the Guntur district and is under construction. As part of this package, two two-line bridge constructions are happening at a brisk pace on the River Krishna. If the package is completed, the traffic from Hyderabad to Chennai may not enter Vijayawada. Also, the source said that Package 3 would be completed by the end of February and Package 4 would be completed by the end of 2023.