Naidu for more bridges across Krishna to boost connectivity

More road bridges across river Krishna, expansion of the proposed outer ring road project and laying of the inner ring road to link national highways passing through Vijayawada and Guntur are part of chief minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu's dream plan to transform the region into the state capital.

Notwithstanding murmurs of dissent from north coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, Naidu is said to be firm on developing the capital in the Vijayawada-Guntur region and is mulling connecting the two districts with more bridges across river Krishna.

While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is already on the job of constructing a 103 km long ORR linking the two cities, Naidu reportedly observed that the project should cover at least 180 km keeping in view the latest requirements.

The Centre had approved the ORR almost three years ago at a cost of Rs. 1,700 crore. Instead of one bridge planned as part of the proposal, Naidu now wants two more bridges.

As per the original plan, a four-lane bypass road will stretch from Navuluru in Guntur district to Eluru, crossing the Krishna river at Gollapudi in Vijayawada. At present, there are two road bridges and the new one was to be the third.

TOI