The proposed road over bridge (ROB) at Gopalapatnam appears to have gone into limbo. The ROB was proposed by the Traffic Police Department about two decades ago.
The proposal had gone through several stages of discussion: at least two surveys were conducted by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) in association with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Railways, two project reports were made, money for the construction sanctioned, agreement between the stakeholders inked. But the project has not taken off.
Visakhapatnam is separated from eight major habitations such as Kothapalem, Narava, Pedanarava, Chinanarava, Sathivanipalem, Gopalapatnam, Venkatapuram and Porlupalem and about dozen small villages, by broadgauge railway lines from Chennai to Howrah that passes through the city.
The railway line and three level crossings within a short distance and narrow roads make Gopalapatnam accident-prone, according to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Mahendra Patrudu.
“Every year we see at least seven to eight accidents on this stretch. This apart, we have proposed the ROB to ease out traffic on the NH as it can work as feeder bypass between the city and the VSEZ at Duvvada. But the authorities concerned have not heeded to our requests,” he said.
Long history
The issue had been taken up many times but had not progressed so far, said A. Aja Sarma, general secretary, Forum for Development of North Andhra. The issue was taken up by VUDA in 2002 and a survey by L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers was also conducted.
VUDA, in a report to the government, noted that the ROB was required not only to reduce the number of fatal accidents but also to ease traffic woes. A project report estimating a total cost of Rs. 18.81 crore was submitted to the government and it was agreed that the project would be taken up by the Railways, State government, VUDA and GVMC.
The project was not initiated and VUD took it up again in 2012, with a new estimate of about Rs. 67 crore, said Prof. K.V. Ramana, chairman, Forum for Development of North Andhra. “The amount also has been sanctioned, and it has been over four years since then, and nothing has moved. We do not understand what is stopping the authorities from going ahead with the project,” Prof. Ramana said.
High traffic
According to Mr. Patrudu, most of the deaths occurred when people tried to cross the railway track. As there were about 12 to 15 tracks and no lights in the area, commuters were confused. “As vehicular and train traffic was high a ROB is the only viable solution,” said Mr. Patrudu.
