Vijayawada: With only 78 per cent of the work completed, already two years off its original deadline, the Kanakadurga flyover is now expected to be ready for public use only by February 2019.
The flyover work began in 2015 and the original deadline was 2016, in time for the Krishna Pushkaralu. The deadline has been extended three times since -- August 2017, March 2018, August 2018 and now the tentative date for completing the flyover is said to be February 2018.
The six-lane 78 ft wide flyover is said to be the third of its kind in the country and pre-stress technology is being used in its construction, at an estimated cost of Rs 282.4 crore.
The delay has meant that the cost has risen by another '17 crore. Roads and Buildings officials say that the flyover will be on 46 spans, and expect for four piers, the rest are completed. They say that this time around, the February 2019 deadline will be kept.
However, citizens of Vijayawada remain sceptical. Their scepticism stems from the pace of work during the Dasara Navaratri works.
Speaking to this newspaper, deputy chief engineer of R&B department who is the man in charge of the flyover project G. John Moshae said “We discussed with the police to allow continuation of the flyover works during the Dasara celebrations as the workers are from West Bengal and they will not return if sent back to their native places.”
Mr Moshae said, “About 78 per cent works are completed and the works will be completed by February 2019. We are pushing the contractor for early completion of the project.”
He said the cost overruns will be borne by the state government as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accepted allocation of '17 crore for two deviations.
