The four-laning of Hyderabad-Vijayawada road is likely to be completed three months ahead of schedule, by June. When completed motorists can reach Hyderabad in not more than five hours from Vijayawada by four-wheeler.
The National Highway Authority of India took up the construction of 181.5-km road at a cost of Rs.1,200 crore in 2009.
By then, the four-lane works were completed between Vijayawada and Nandigama, which is about 50 km and Hyderabad and Narketpally, a stretch of 40 km.
The project was taken up on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis.
Baring few religious structures and encroachments, major works were nearing completion.
A road under bridge (RUB) at Chillakallu and two major bridges across rivers Paleru and Musi were also nearing completion.
Similarly, 14 minor bridges were being constructed on this stretch. Service roads with a total length of about 16 km at 11 locations were also being constructed. On this stretch, the NHAI has brought up three major junctions and 12 minor junctions.
Traffic density
The traffic density on this highway varies at various places.
The traffic from Hyderabad to Narkatpally was high and it comes down by 20 to 30 per cent after Narkatpally. The traffic density falls further by another 20 to 30 per cent at Suryapeta.
However, the traffic increases after Nandigama, officials say.
According to information, the contractor would get bonus period of three months if the works were completed ahead of schedule.
The contractor could collect toll for this period and would get not less than Rs.18 crore.
In addition to existing toll plaza at Keesara, at least three more toll plazas would come up between Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
According to NHAI rules, there is a scope for plaza every 60 km, officials say.
