KAKINADA: Water Resources Department has been keeping a Rs.173 crore mega road project in limbo for the past one year without any indications though Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and water resources minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao are keen on the project.
The project connects to two National Highways as well as two states, Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry-a Union Territory enclave). It encompasses four constituencies, Ramachandrapuram, Mummidivaram, Kothapet and Mandapet. According to sources, under Godavari delta modernisation, the Gowthami river left flood bank had been improved in 1986 for its entire length of 60.40 kms leaving small gaps here and there. A single lane BT road laid on this flood bank from Jonnada to Yanam connects National Highway-16 and NH 5. The engineer-in-ghief of the department proposed to widen and raise the Gowthami river flood bank from Jonnada to Yanam covering a length of 40 kms to accommodate double lane traffic. The officials furnished a comprehensive estimate amounting to Rs 173.90 crore for the work of improvement and widening of GLB flood bank, double lane road standards for formation of the inter-state road. The government has given administrative sanction for stage-1 works for Rs.31.47 crores.
But, the project has been kept in limbo for the past one year though the Chief Minister has paid attention to it in personal. I made repeated appeals to the water resources department to execute the work. But, some of the higher officials in the department have not responded properly so far, said Ramachandrapuram MLA Thota Trimurthulu who strived hard for the project. He said that the project would transform the area into an international tourist spot where the Gowthami river on one side and paddy and coconut fields on the other side give a beautiful view. Such beautiful scenes are not seen elsewhere. He also said that due to the development of the road, the distance from Amalapuram to Kakinada would be reduced to nearly 20 kilometers that will help save nearly one hour. The road would be useful for the local people as well as the others as the transport facility would be easier.
Mr Ravindrababu said that the Yanam-Jonnada Road development is necessary.
