National Highways Authorities of India to prepare new detailed project report for bypass road

Vijayawada: The NHAI (National Highways Authorities of India) has decided to prepare detailed project report afresh (DPR) once again for the bypass road which was earlier planned from Pedakakani of Guntur district to Gundugolanu of West Godavari district connecting Amaravati capital city.

The NHAI decision follows a request from the state government to make changes making the road from four-way lane to six-way lane and construct bridge on river Krishna as Iconic Bridge. The project works were supposed to begin almost six years ago but the successful bidder Gammon India Company failed to execute the works. As per the new proposals, the project has reached to beginning stage.

According to senior officials, the NHAI would prepare a fresh DPR for this road. Indeed, the NHAI awarded tender for the 47.8 km for four-lane bypass road work to Gammon India Company six years ago. The company bagged the contract work at an estimated cost of Rs 2,100 crore under the BOT system. But the company could not start the works due to various reasons.

The completion of road stretch is very important to Amaravati capital and also Vijayawada city. The vehicles can be diverted from Pedakakani (Guntur district) to Gundugolanu (West Godavari district) without a need to touch Vijayawada city and also Mangalagiri town. Now the new capital Amaravati’s capital location is also adjacent to the road alignment.

In this backdrop, the state government suggested several changes to the Central government. The new DPR is being taken up while the Centre was planning to call for fresh tenders as per the contract rules since Gammon India failed to honour its contract.