Encroachment Clearance Begins After 3 Decades to Widen Podalakur Road in Nellore

Nellore: In a major push for urban infrastructure development here, encroachments are being cleared for the first time in three decades on Podalakur Road — one of the busiest and most vital motorways in Nellore Rural constituency.

The move is part of a major road-widening initiative aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving road safety along the stretch from Batvadipalem (district police office) to Dycus Road.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 5.50 crore, includes expanding the existing road to accommodate the city’s growing vehicular load.

Additionally, Rs 4 crore has been allocated for installing dividers and central lighting along the entire corridor, enhancing both safety and aesthetics.

The anti-encroachment drive is being executed in full force. Notably, a roadside shelter facility established by Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sreedhar Reddy a few years ago for senior citizens was also removed in the process.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the MLA explained that the road required widening as there have been several road mishaps and regular traffic jams along the stretch.

“We got funding from the government to not only widen the road but also include essential features like dividers and central lighting,” he stated.

He said a part of the stretch would be made cement-laden and the balance would be BT road.

Sreedhar Reddy laid the stone for the Gandhi Nagar Main Road from Nallapareddy Sreenivasulu Reddy statue in Vedayapalem to Dycus Road on Sunday. The government has sanctioned Rs 2.70 crore for road improvement and central lighting works.

The BT road works and a single-divider central lighting system would be developed from the Nallapureddy Srinivasulu Reddy statue up to the Dycus Road.

The tender process for these works would commence shortly.

These initiatives would bring long-awaited relief to commuters and contribute to a more organised and safer traffic environment in Nellore, Reddy stated.