Krishnalanka, the most densely populated area in the city, is going to be cut off from rest of it as the National Highway passing through is being widened and elevated. The highway on the bund of Krishna River and the Bandar canal lies between the colonies situated on the bank of the river and city starting from Satyanarayananagar to Rajiv Gandhi Park — a 4.4 kilometre stretch.
Locals see it as a problem of connectivity which may affect the development of the area and its realty value. “Though the locality is close to M.G. Road proper connectivity is a major issue. Now, the raising of the height of the highway will disconnect all approach roads and it will only double the woes of the commuters, predominately employees and students,” said a resident of Gauthami Nagar G. Venkataramana.
According to R&B officials, the four-lane highway with a median would be raised to about four metres height from the level of internal Karakatta service road, which is parallel to it.
A twin-cell underpass would connect Krishnalanka with Ranga Statue Bridge over Bandar canal. It would be 20m wide and 4.5m high allowing all vehicles to pass, according to Roads & Buildings Superintendent Engineer (Quality Control) and in-charge of the project G. John Moses.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Moses said a gradient road would be laid from PNBS to the same bridge. Also another gradient road would be laid from the bridge till fire station where it would be connected to the highway for the city traffic to get on to the highway, he added.
“Though there are issues of connectivity for locals it is a fact that removing approach roads puts an end to accidents on the dangerous stretch. This provides safety for all.”
The project will be completed before Krishna Pushkaralu and a road level bridge would be built at Kanaka Durga Temple to serve the rush of vehicles. However, there are no plans to expand the bridge which is narrow.
“We would be left with only two approach roads one at Ranga Bridge and the other at Nehru Bridge. Near Nehru Bridge there is no direct connection as police put up barricades restricting locals from crossing the NH. More access roads must be provided to meet increasing number of vehicles as Nehru Bridge road often witnesses traffic jams,” said A. Ratnam, a resident of Rani Gaari Thota .
It may be noted that residents of Rani Gaari Thota staged protests when the approach road was closed for raising highway couple of years ago.
Problem of connectivity:
Bridges to connect Krishnalanka with city: Nehru Bridge, Ranga Bridge (one behind Vangaveeti Ranga Statue on MG Road)
National Highway stretch: 4.4 km from Satyanarayana Nagar to Rajiv Gandhi Park.
Upcoming Underpass road at Ranga Bridge:
*Two cells (roads), each 10 metres and 4.5 metres height to come under the Highway.
*It will be set to height of the bridge.
Project to be completed before Krishna Pushkaralu.
Colonies in Krishnalanka:
Rani gaari Thota, Nehuru Nagar, Ranga Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Indra Nagar, Tarakarama Colony, Krishna Lanka Katta, Naidu Pet and Gauthami Nagar
