NAD Flyover Still on Drawing Board.

Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has prepared the ground to invite a national-level consultant to prepare detailed project report (DPR) for the long-pending flyover at the NAD Crossroads. According to the preliminary estimates, the flyover will be 2-km long with two side wings to Kancharapalem and Gopalapatnam sides.

However, the Metro Rail, Pendurty-Dwaraka Bus Station BRTS Corridor, Railway bridge and land of the Naval Armament Depot are the major obstacles to the flyover plan. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is very keen on the project. During a series of review meetings on the city development activities, the CM found a need for flyover at the NAD Crossroads and wanted to entrust the work to a national-level consultant to prepare the DPR.

During the past five years, floating population in the city has increased abnormally. After Airport operations went 24/7, flight services also increased. Meanwhile, the city has expanded towards Parawada, Pendurty, S.Kota, Sabbavaram and Anakapalle. After the bifurcation, the State government has been projecting Visakhapatnam as the number one destination for investments. With the support of the road, rail, water and air transport facilities, the investors are also looking at Visakhapatnam for setting up various units.

In order to provide seamless traffic to air passengers and also to the people of the surrounding areas who daily visit the city, the Chief Minister directed the officials to expedite the plan.

According to estimates, 9,500 people pass through one direction of the junction per hour at peak time. As the NAD Crossroads is the only gateway for various important junctions, all the heavy vehicles use the highway, choking traffic.

With the CM’s directions, VUDA has prepared guidelines to invite a consultant for the DPR. However, the government did not specify the VUDA’s role in the project and the method of financing the project was also not finalised.

'We have prepared the guidelines to invite a national-level consultant. However, there are several issues which have to be tackled like the BRTS, Railway bridge and Metro Project which are connected with the flyover. According to preliminary estimates, the project cost would be Rs. 70 crore. Once the DPR is ready the government will take a decision on the financing the project and our role,' said VUDA chief engineer Jayaram Reddy.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS