The long-cherished dream of Vijayawada people, Kanakadurga flyover, will have to wait for another few days after its inauguration has been postponed since the state government declared 7 days of mourning for former President Pranab Mukherjee who died on August 31. This flyover was to be thrown open to the public on September 4.
The project which was originally scheduled to be completed in 18 months, has taken six years to be completed after a slew of hurdles. The 2.6 km flyover constructed at a cost of Rs 441 crore will ease traffic problems of Vijayawada people to a large extent. It may take 10 more days to launch the flyover.
Two decades of fight
The project site is very complicated geographically. On one side of the National Highway-65 (previous NH-9) at the entrance of Vijayawada from Hyderabad, is a hill and on the other River Krishna. There is only 80 feet space in between. The hill cannot be dug to get more space since it is the abode of Goddess Kanakadurga.
Similarly, several surveys during UPA government concluded that heavy pillars can’t be erected in Krishna river for the flyover. After the NDA government came to power at the Centre and TDP in the state, the flyover issue came to the fore again. Surveys were conducted with engineers who have experience in building flyovers in geographically tough locations.
On their recommendations, the TDP government acquired some private land by spending Rs. 123 crore and began the flyover works. Soma Company which promised to complete the project in 18 months could finally do it in six years overcoming many problems. The dreams of Vijayawada residents are going to become a reality in a few days.
