VIJAYAWADA: Though nine months have elapsed since the collapse of the Gunadala flyover, the VGTM-UDA authorities do not seem to be bothered to resume the works. The flyover is being constructed as part of the Inner Ring Road (IRR) project in the city.
Three of the four girders of the flyover collapsed in the second week of December last year. An inquiry by technical experts had been conducted into the incident and a report was also submitted to the government. It is alleged the officials had fail to check the quality of the construction works. It may be recalled here that the VGTM-UDA authorities had promised to complete the IRR in February, 2014.
The IRR project, which aims to connect the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway with the Vijayawada-Kolkata National Highway, was started in February, 2014. Vehicles going to Visakhapatnam and Howrah from Hyderabad can be diverted at Gollapudi Y junction and pass through the Milk Powder Factory (MPF), Ajitsingh Nagar, Gunadala and finally reach Ramavarappadu Ring on the Vijayawada-Howrah National Highway.
The project was originally estimated to cost `74.24 crore. However, due to the procedural delays, its cost has escalated to `119 crore. It was scheduled to be complete by 2010. Later, the deadline was extended to 2011 and it was reset for Feb, 2014.
The IRR is the most important project in the city and it can reduce the traffic problem to a great extent in some parts of the city. Traffic on the Krishnalanka highway and Benz Circle can be eased once the IRR is ready. Vehicles passing between Hyderabad and Vizag-Howrah route can be diverted via IRR without entering the city at Benz Circle, Krishnalanka, Kummaripalem and Gollapudi areas.
However, VGTM-UDA vice-chairperson P Usha Kumari said that they were waiting for the approval of the state government to resume the works pertaining to flyover construction.
“The committee has submitted its report after going into the incident of the girders collapse. But the State government has not given any order after submission of the report. The works can be taken up only after receiving the orders from the government,” she added.
INORDINATE DELAY
Even after nine months since the collapse of the Gunadala flyover, the UDA has not resumed the works
Several deadlines have been set for completion of the IRR project
UDA officials say that they are waiting for the state government’s orders