Slow Pace Of Bridge Works On NH-163 Frustrates Public
The construction work on the new bridges along NH-163 was awarded to Vruddhi Infrastructure Private Limited in July 2022, with a scheduled completion date of July 2024: Reports
WARANGAL: The delay in constructing new bridges along National Highway 163 at various locations is causing big inconvenience to the people of the erstwhile Warangal district. In 2022, the Central government allocated ₹208 crore for the project, which involves replacing old, double-lane bridges over the SRSP canals with wider, modern structures. A key component of the work is the construction of a high-level bridge over Katakshapur Lake.
However, the original design had to be altered after concerns were raised that the proposed high-level bridge might cause flooding in nearby villages and on the road leading to Singaram village. As a result, officials submitted a revised proposal for a low-level bridge to the Central government, which approved it in February 2025. Despite the approval, construction has yet to begin, continuing to cause hardship for the local population.
The construction work on the new bridges along NH-163 was awarded to Vruddhi Infrastructure Private Limited in July 2022, with a scheduled completion date of July 2024. However, progress has been slow. At the Urugonda and Oglapur bridge sites, traffic has been diverted, and recent heavy rains have created numerous potholes on the diversion roads, making travel difficult and dangerous. The road conditions are particularly poor near Katakshapur Lake and Jakaram village in Mulugu district, where another bridge is under construction.
Residents are urging the authorities to expedite the bridge works, especially with Asia’s largest tribal fair, the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, just months away. In Mallampally mandal of Mulugu district, a bridge over the SRSP canal partially collapsed due to heavy rainfall, severely disrupting traffic. Vehicles travelling from Mulugu to Warangal are being rerouted through Abbapur, Regonda, and Parkal, while traffic from Warangal to Mulugu is being diverted via Gudepadu, Parkal, and Abbapur.
Meanwhile, residents of Katinagaram and Komatlagudem villages in Gangaram mandal of Mahbubabad district are facing severe difficulties after a temporary bridge collapsed during recent heavy rains. Officials had begun building a bridge over a culvert at Komatlagudem Lake, but the work was left incomplete. In the interim, villagers constructed a makeshift road using mud and gravel to maintain connectivity. Unfortunately, the road was washed away in the downpour, cutting off access between the two villages.
Currently, locals are forced to use a dilapidated bridge, often needing assistance to reach their fields for agricultural work. The situation is particularly concerning for the elderly and persons with disabilities, as crossing has become increasingly hazardous. Villagers are appealing to the authorities to resume and complete the bridge construction without further delay.