Krishnalanka highway works at a snail’s pace

Vijayawada: Confusion prevailed at Krishnalanka, which is one of the densely populated areas in the city, over the completion of the ongoing national highway widening works. Six months passed since the highway widening works started, two sub-ways near the fire station and near the VMC office have not completed yet.

Sub-way being constructed near the fire station will be useful to two lakh population living at Krishnalanka. The second sub-way being constructed near the VMC office on the national highway will be useful to Krishna Pushkaralu pilgrims.

The sub-way works near the fire-station are going on at a snail’s pace. Demand for the construction of sub-way connecting the feeder road to MG Road has been pending for the past many decades. Finally, the Central government has sanctioned the funds for the construction of sub-way as part of a four-lane highway works.

Cars, autorikshaws, two wheelers and other vehicles can pass from Feeder Road to MG Road without any risk. A large number of pedestrians will be benefited with the sub-way. Buses, trucks and other vehicles travel between Pandit Nehru Bus Station and Varadhi Junction will pass over the sub-way. Since heavy vehicles pass over the sub-way, along the national highway, solid foundation has been laid for its construction.

But, the sub-way works are unlikely to be completed before Krishna Pushkaralu. Only 35 days are left for the starting of Krishna Pushkaralu.

The second sub-way being constructed near the VMC office is also unlikely to be completed in 35 days. The approach road works have not started yet. This sub-way will be very useful to Krishna Pushkaralu devotees who take bath downstream of Prakasam Barrage.

Due to slow progress of the four-lane highway works, nearly two lakh people living at Krishnalanka area are suffering since six months. The existing feeder road narrowed due to foundation laid for the approach road as well as for the construction of the retaining wall. Moreover, the feeder road is also being used for work.

P Durga Prasad, a resident of Krishnalanka, said thousands of people living at Krishnalanka are vexed with the slow progress of works and damage caused to the existing feeder road and the highway. He said the residents have lost the hope the road widening works will be completed before the beginning of Krishna Pushkaralu.

CPM city secretary Donepudi Kasinath said the highway widening works severely affected the normal life of the residents of Krishnlanka. He said the Telugu Desam government is turning a deaf ear to the demands made by local residents for the construction of two more sub-ways along the stretch of Krishnalanka.

He demanded the government to construct two more sub-ways along Krishnalanka stretch for the convenience of local people. He said the government had started the highway widening works very late even though they know the Krishna Pushkaralu will start in August.

Md Ameen