The long-awaited Christurajpuram Road widening project that is supposed to have been completed by now has suffered delays on account of the slow pace of the 11KV underground electricity cabling work, the first of its kind, on the Gunadala-Moghalrajpuram route.
After years of delay, the road-widening project worth about ₹7 crore was awarded to a contractor more than six months ago and work began in July with the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation cutting down trees, removing encroachments and levelling the surface between Amma function hall and Gunadala panchayat office centre, a 2.5-kilometre stretch.
However, in August, the AP Transco came up with the underground cabling project and began digging up the levelled surface to lay cables forcing the VMC to suspend road widening works.
Air pollution
Locals have been suffering air pollution for the last three months as the road was filled with stone dust. Also, city bus service (77) has been diverted since then.
As on Wednesday, a majority of cabling works on the stretch had been completed, according to AP Transco officials. Meanwhile, VMC is awaiting the completion of the cabling work so that it can initiate black-topping.
“In another 15 days, the cabling work up to Amma function hall will be completed. Due to various reasons, the works got delayed and we plan to finish them before Christmas at any cost,” AP Transco’s Vijayawada Zone Chief Engineer P. Surya Chandra told The Hindu .
The work towards Gunadala was completed long ago but VMC was unable to begin construction as the electricity towers were not removed.
Much before the road widening works began, 11KV power supply towers on the same stretch were built. But the plan was dropped as the underground cabling project came into the picture and the towers are obstructing widening works. Mr. Surya Chandra said APSPDCL is responsible for removing the towers.
“We have paid nearly ₹50 lakh to the department concerned for removal of the towers. Once they are removed, road works will be undertaken on a war-footing,” said VMC Chief Engineer P. Adi Seshu.
On the other hand, laying of cables from Amma function hall to the Moghalrajpuram substation, the second and final part of the project, is set to get delayed as works cannot be carried out during daytime due to heavy traffic on the Five route.
