VISAKHAPATNAM:Driving on the NH-16 will soon be a pleasant experience with clean roads and lush green medians, as the first phase of works for the much-awaited National Highway Beautification Project are likely to begin shortly and expected to complete in four months. Chennai- based Raghuraman Landscape Architects had already submitted the Detailed Project Report to the GVMC.
Keeping in view the idea of building Vizag into a Smart City, the civic authorities proposed the decoration of both sides of the highway in association with Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Though the project was initiated for a stretch of 54 km from Anakapalle to Tagarapuvalasa area of the city, considering the ensuing monsoon and lack of immediate funds, the authorities are now planning to finish the prominent stretch of roads within the city, starting with the 14-km stretch from Satyam Junction to Vizag Airport area.
GVMC commissioner J Pravin Kumar said that the beautification drive along the 14-km road would cost around Rs 4 crore.
“We will be calling for tenders in a week and finalise the contract and start off shortly. ” Pravin said.
Though the project includes aspects like spreading green belts at some junctions and separate cycling and pedestrian paths, the authorities are to concentrate firstly on green spreads in this 14-km stretch alone, due to lack of immediate funds.
The GVMC has requested the NHAI to grant adequate funds for the rest of the developmental activities. The authorities also mentioned that once they receive funds from NHAI, they would concentrate on other aspects of the project as well.
A Welcome Sight