Finally, the Inner Ring Road (IRR) is completely operational. The idea conceived in 2006 became a reality now with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurating the IRR flyover at the Ramavarappadu ring road junction here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu said the road would be connected to Amaravati seed capital in future to ease traffic congestion in the city.
The government took up several developmental works such as the Kanaka Durga flyover near the Prakasam Barrage. The possibility of connecting the Mustabad road-Gannavaram-IRR would also be explored for a hassle free journey to airport.
Several developmental works were taken up including the construction of the flyover at the Durga ghat. Stressing on the need for improving the brand image of Vijayawada city by beautifying it, he urged the people to extend hospitality to pilgrims during the pushkarams.
Everyone should discuss the linking of the Krishna and Godavari rivers, he said. The 9.84-km IRR was built at a cost of Rs. 122.35 crores to connect the national highway (NH)-9 and NH-5. The IRR will help to divert traffic coming from Hyderabad to the Howrah national highway at the Ramavarappadu junction.
The VGTMUDA, now AP CRDA, conceived the project idea in 2006. However, the foundation stone was laid, just before general elections, for commencement of works in February 2009. The prestigious project was scheduled to be completed by 2010.
The works progressed at a snail’s pace at some stretches for various reasons, including permission from the railways and removal of encroachments. Later, the deadline was set to 2011 and revised as 2014. The indecisiveness of the State government has hit the IRR project. Due to the procedural wrangles and the delay in execution, the project cost escalated phenomenally.
The project was originally estimated to cost Rs.74.24 crore. In 2013, the project estimate was revised to Rs.119 crore.
