Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP, has made a strong appeal to the Central Ministers concerned for converting the two-lane bypass road between Nandigama and Kanchikacherla into a four-lane highway and also for allocation of Rs. 100 crore for the widening of the road and constructing a bridge at Durga Temple in the city.
Mr. Rajagopal met the Ministers concerned and the officials personally in Delhi and requested them to expedite the developmental works in Vijayawada. He made a plea for development of a three-km road with Rs. 72 crore in the remaining part of the Bus Rapid Transit System and also for an A/C bogey first class in the Machilipatnam-Secunderabad express train.
The MP met Union Urban Development Minister Kamalnath and discussed the issue of development of the BRTS in the city. He said that works to the tune of Rs. 15.50 crore were completed with his MP fund and there were nearly Rs. 72 crore still to be spent on the BRTS. These funds should be used to lay three-km road connecting JNNURM houses and internal Ring Road. Already, the municipal corporation had sent proposals to the State and Central governments.
During his meeting with the Union Surface Transport Minister C.P. Joshi, the MP Rajagopal pleaded for the starting of works with Rs. 36 crore already sanctioned for the widening of the road and construction of a bridge at the Durga Temple. The MP said that as the prices of all things had gone up ever since, these works would require nearly Rs. 100 crore and that the Union Ministry should take a review of the designs accordingly for reallocating the funds.
Accidents
Mr. Rajagopal also said that many people were losing their lives in accidents being caused at the Nandigama- Kanchikacherla bypass road because of heavy traffic there and there was an urgent need for making it four-lane highway. A file was already pending with the NHAI headquarters regarding this road widening and Rs. 45.60 crore needed to be immediately sanctioned for this, he added.
