VISAKHAPATNAM: Srikakulam and Amadalavalasa will become twin towns once the state government goes ahead with its plans to four-lane the existing 10.4-km road. The road widening has been a long-pending issue, which has been resolved by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. In accordance with his instructions, the state government has allocated ₹40 crore to convert the existing two-lane road into four lanes with modern facilities.
The project will benefit thousands of people travelling between the two towns, especially residents of Srikakulam town and users of trains from Srikakulam Road Railway Station. Economic activity will also pick up once the road is widened.
The Chief Minister, who is scheduled to visit Srikakulam on June 27 for inaugurating the third phase of Amma Vodi scheme, is expected to review the progress of the road-widening project with district administration and elected representatives.
State assembly speaker Tammineni Sitaram represents Amadalavalasa, while minister Dharmana Prasada Rao is from Srikakulam. Both belong to ruling YSRC party.
Some time ago, speaker Sitaram had disclosed that the state government has cleared the file for road widening works from Srikakulam to Amadalavalasa.
V. Suresh Kumar, a resident of Balaga in Srikakulam town, said it would take about 45 minutes to an hour to catch the train at Amadalavalasa. The existing road is constantly congested with vehicular traffic. Road widening is the best option.
A Waltair Railway Division official said Srikakulam Road Railway Station is being given top priority, as the number of train users and trains at the station is increasing.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, roads and buildings superintendent engineer Kantimathi said, “The project requires acquisition of about 12 acres of land. We are currently preparing a project report, which will be submitted to the collector. The present vehicular traffic on the road is about 10,000 vehicles per day.”
