Visakhapatnam: It will take three to four more months to lay the foundation stone and start works of the long-pending project of widening the Anandapuram-Anakapalle Road via Sabbavaram, while the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) waits for the Union Cabinet’s approval for the project. The existing double road of over 50 km will have certain portions developed into four-lane stretches, while some portions will be developed into six-lane stretches, to ease traffic on the NH-16 stretch used by Vizagites.
The widening of the Anandapuram-Pendurthi-Anakapalle corridor and the 13.6-km connecting road between Sabbavaram and Sheelanagar port has been sanctioned by the Union government at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. This includes a compensation of Rs 600 crore for those who lost their land for the project. As per the Detailed Project Report, about 380 hectares is required for the corridor, which the NHAI will pay for. The project director of NHAI, Visakhapatnam, A. Srinivasa Rao, said it would take at least two months to get a complete picture of the major project. “We are waiting for the Union Cabinet’s approval, for the project. Once we get the nod, work will start in full swing,” he added.
Land acquisition for the project will be completed as soon as farmers and others agree to give their land for the project. “We have been on the job to prepare a list of land losers and the amount of compensation to be paid. We hope the land acquisition will be completed, as soon as we overcome all the hurdles,,” said, A. Subbaraju, the deputy collector in-charge of the land acquisition process.
“The Anandapuram-Anakapalle road widening project is crucial for the region and the Union government will complete this project within a stipulated period,” he said. “If the project is completed, the traffic congestion on the NH-16 stretch in Vizag will reduce. Road accidents in the city will also decrease, as some vehicles will get diverted on to the new stretch,” said Anakapalle MP, M. Srinivasa Rao. Sources said tenders for the project have already been completed. But the project will not proceed further until the required 380 hectares is acquired and handed over to the NHAI.
