There seems to be no end to the woes of Madhura Nagar residents, with the construction of Madhura Nagar Road over Bridge (RoB) coming to a grinding halt. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has attributed the delay to paucity of funds. The work was expected to be completed two years ago.
The VMC had taken up the construction of two bridges on the Eluru Canal and the Budameru drain as part of work on the link road to the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor. The link road from Madhura Nagar was aimed at connecting Ajitsingh Nagar and Vambay Colony with the city, besides reducing travel time from Vambay Colony to Autonagar.
Most residents of Vambay Colony work in industries at Autonagar. Hitherto, they used to take the circuitous route via Ajithsingh Nagar flyover. The bridges and the link road will help them to reach Autonagar, says CPI city assistant secretary and former Corporator P. Durga Bhavani.
Incidentally, work on the bridges had commenced with much fanfare in 2009, and it was estimated to cost Rs. 15 crore. The project also involved construction of approach roads on both sides. However, non-release of bills affected the construction of the bridges.
Former Corporator Pilli Lakhsmi Tulasi said the VMC had completed the construction of piers, girders, and columns. The bridges can be used if the slab and approaches are completed, she added.
Vambay Colony resident Jagadeesh says the VMC design is not good enough. “The Corporation should have constructed a single bridge from Madhura Nagar to Vambay colony. Work is going on at a snail’s pace. Keeping in view the benefits, the VMC should speed up the process,” he says.
Corporation officials, however, say the delay is due to land acquisition issues on the Vambay Colony side.
