To ease traffic on the NH 16, motorists might soon find the traffic police suggesting the use of alternative routes.
Among all the roads, the maximum density of traffic is on the NH 16, and during peak hours some of the stretches such as Hanumanthawaka, Maddilapalem, NAD Junction, Satyam Junction and Thatichetlapalem see the worst traffic snarls.
The alternate routes that are being proposed are: Motorists coming from Madhurwada to city on NH 16 may use the Beach Road via Yendada or use the side road near Visakha Valley School to enter the city limits.
Similarly, it is urged that the motorists make good use of the Port Connectivity route from Convent Junction via Sheelanagar to reach Old Gajuwaka and Autonagar instead of moving on the NH 16, according to ADCP (traffic) K. Mahendra Patrudu.
The traffic police are also insisting on the use of the BRTS route to Simhachalam instead of the NH 16.
According to Mr. Mahendra Patrudu, efforts are on to close some of the junctions on NH 16 to mitigate traffic jams.
Apart from traffic snarls, the 73-km stretch of NH 16 that passes through the city from Salapuvanipalem to Rajulapalem, see the maximum number of accidents.
In 2013, the total number of deaths due to road accidents were 378, in 2014 it was 326 and in 2015 till June end the figure has already touched 187, and of the total 60 per cent have occurred on the NH 16 stretch, says Mr. Mahendra Patrudu.
“By implementing the alternate routes we also intend to reduce the number of accidents on the NH,” says ACP (traffic) Kinjarapu Prabhakar.
